Rona Aydin is the founder of Oriel Admissions, a Princeton-based college admissions consulting firm advising families nationwide on elite university admissions strategy. An Oxford University graduate, Rona leads a deeply experienced team whose distinctive 360 approach treats every part of the application - academics, testing, activities, essays, and interviews - as one connected strategy.
Notre Dame is one of the nation's premier Catholic research universities, known for rigorous undergraduate teaching, standout business and engineering programs, a values-driven residential culture, and an alumni network whose loyalty translates into real career advantages.
Rice University is a small, research-intensive powerhouse in Houston, known for elite engineering and science programs, a low student-to-faculty ratio, a close-knit residential-college system, and a reputation for delivering top-tier academics at strong value.
Emory University is a leading private research university in Atlanta, known for its Goizueta Business School, exceptional health-sciences and pre-med preparation, respected nursing program, and close connections to major medical and public-health institutions.
Johns Hopkins University is the nation's first research university, based in Baltimore and known for world-leading programs in medicine, public health, and biomedical engineering, a research-intensive culture, and exceptional preparation for careers in science and health.
Brown University, founded in 1764, is known for its Open Curriculum, which frees students from general education requirements, a collaborative and student-driven culture, and strong programs in the humanities, computer science, and the sciences.
The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1740, is known for the Wharton School of business, a strongly pre-professional and career-focused culture, and elite programs in nursing, medicine, and the applied sciences.
Columbia University, founded in 1754, is known for its signature Core Curriculum, its Ivy League prestige in the heart of New York City, and world-class strength in journalism, business, law, and international affairs.
Princeton University, founded in 1746, is known for its intense focus on undergraduate education, world-class mathematics, economics, physics, and public policy, generous no-loan financial aid, and the senior thesis nearly every student completes.
Yale University, founded in 1701, is known for its residential college system, elite humanities and arts, a top-ranked law school, and a long tradition of producing leaders in politics, drama, and letters.
Harvard University, founded in 1636, is known as the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in the world - a global leader in law, business, medicine, government, and economics, backed by the largest academic endowment of any university.
A thank-you email after a college interview is a short note sent within 24 hours to the person who interviewed you. Here is when to send it, what to include, ready-to-use templates for every interview type, and the mistakes that undercut strong applicants.
Additional letters of recommendation come from outside the required teacher and counselor roles - a research mentor, coach, employer, or peer. They help only when they reveal something new, and can dilute an application when they simply repeat the required letters.
The counselor letter of recommendation speaks to a student's whole record and character within the school, not a single class. What it covers, how it differs from a teacher letter, and how to build a strong counselor relationship at a large school.
A brag sheet for recommendation letters is a short document that gives teachers and counselors the specific accomplishments, anecdotes, and goals they need to write a detailed letter. What to include, common mistakes to avoid, and when to provide it.
Who should write your recommendation letters? The best come from junior-year teachers in core academic subjects who know you well and can write with specific detail - not necessarily the highest-grading teacher. How to choose recommenders who tell your story.
How many letters of recommendation for college? Most selective colleges require one or two teacher recommendations plus a counselor letter, and some accept one additional recommender. More letters are not automatically better - quality and fit matter most.