Rona Aydin

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.

Posts by Rona Aydin

International Transcript Evaluation for US College Admissions

Part of the International Students at Elite US Universities cluster.

University campus in autumn

The Forbes New Ivies List: How It Works and How to Read It

The Forbes New Ivies is an annual list of 20 employer-favored universities, 10 public and 10 private, first published in 2024. How Forbes builds it, what it includes, why it changes yearly, and how to use it without overtrusting it.

University campus in autumn

New Ivies vs. the Ivy League: Which Is the Better Bet?

New Ivies often match the Ivy League on employer regard with more attainable admissions and, for public options, far lower cost. A school-by-school comparison of odds, cost, ROI, and how to use both in a smart application list.

Microscope close-up - Medical research and clinical extracurriculars

Medical Research and Clinical Extracurriculars for BS/MD Applicants

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

BS/MD vs Traditional Pre-Med Path: Which Route to Medical School Wins?

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

Student writing supplemental essay - BS/MD supplemental essay strategy

BS/MD Supplemental Essay Strategy for Elite Combined Medical Programs

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

Deering Library, Northwestern University

Northwestern HPME Discontinued: What It Was and What Replaced It

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

Brown PLME Admissions Strategy: How to Get Into the Program in Liberal Medical Education

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

How to Choose the Right BS/MD Program: Selection Framework for Families

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

Alpert Medical School at Brown University - BS/MD program acceptance rates

BS/MD Program Acceptance Rates and Admissions Outcomes Across Top Programs

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

BS/MD Applicants: Profile, Preparation, and Timeline Strategy

Part of the BS/MD Programs and Elite Medical Admissions cluster.

Princeton campus building - representing extracurricular strategy for homeschool elite admissions

Extracurricular Strategy for Homeschoolers at Elite Admissions

Part of the Homeschool to Elite College Admissions cluster.

Princeton University campus - representing dual enrollment pathway for homeschool elite admissions

Dual Enrollment for Homeschoolers Targeting Elite Colleges

Part of the Homeschool to Elite College Admissions cluster.

Homeschool vs Traditional Private School: Elite Admissions Comparison

Part of the Homeschool to Elite College Admissions cluster.

Harvard Yard - representing elite admissions counselor letter strategy for homeschool families

Homeschool Counselor Letter Strategy: When Parents Write the Letter

Part of the Homeschool to Elite College Admissions cluster.

Princeton University campus building - representing homeschool transcript review at elite admissions

The Homeschool Transcript for Elite College Admissions: What Works

Part of the Homeschool to Elite College Admissions cluster.

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