Want a Spike? Here's how you actually get one...
For students dreaming of an Ivy League education, parents navigating the complex world of college prep, and educators guiding the next generation of leaders, this roadmap is your essential guide. It's time to rethink everything you thought you knew about getting into America's top schools.
Welcome to the new era of college admissions, where Olympic-level achievement is the name of the game.
The Changing Landscape of College Admissions:
To understand the importance of this roadmap, we must first examine the current admissions climate. Harvard University, often viewed as a leader in Ivy League admissions trends, provides insightful data:
Harvard receives approximately 43,000 applications annually.
About 37,000 of these are from academically strong, well-rounded candidates.
Only 2.9% of these well-rounded applicants are admitted, equating to about 1,073 students.
In contrast, "world-class" applicants (top 0.1% in their field) have a reported 90% acceptance rate at Harvard.
The following roadmap is designed to guide students towards creating such an achievement over their high school years…
Freshman Year: Laying Your Foundations
The primary goal of freshman year is to identify your passion and begin conceptualizing and ideating your Olympic-level project. Research by Angela Duckworth, author of "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," shows that early identification of a passion significantly increases the likelihood of achieving mastery in that area.
Jack Andraka, who at age 15 developed a diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer, began his journey in freshman year by immersing himself in cancer research literature. He didn't achieve his breakthrough immediately, but this early exposure laid the groundwork for his later success.
To emulate this approach:
Engage in a broad exploration of various fields through coursework and extracurricular activities. Really try and survey many different fields to gain a broad view of what’s available.
Keep a journal of topics that genuinely excite you and problems you'd like to solve. You might have an amazing idea, but it’s no use if you forget it.
Begin reading advanced material in areas of interest. Many successful applicants report reading college-level textbooks or scientific papers as early as freshman year. However, don’t force yourself to read overly complex material if it doesn't interest you.
Sophomore Year: Developing Your Expertise
The focus of sophomore year should be gaining in-depth knowledge in your chosen field and starting work on your project. Malcolm Gladwell's "10,000-hour rule" suggests that mastery requires extensive practice. While the exact number is debated, the principle of dedicated, focused practice is widely accepted in achieving expertise.
Brittany Wenger, who created a cloud-based app to diagnose breast cancer, spent her sophomore year learning advanced computer science concepts and practicing coding daily. This dedicated effort allowed her to begin developing her app by the end of the year, hundreds of times faster that anyone following a traditional 4 year degree pathway.
Key steps for this year include:
Enroll in advanced courses in your area of interest. Data from the College Board shows that students who take AP courses in their area of focus are more likely to major in that field in college.
Seek out mentorship from experts in your field. A study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that students with mentors were 130% more likely to hold leadership roles.
Begin working on a concrete project. The Common App's own data suggests that sustained commitment to a single project over time is viewed more favorably than participation in numerous short-term activities.
Junior Year: Scaling Your Impact
Junior year is about taking your project to the next level, aiming for national or international recognition. The "Rule of One Million," a concept discussed in a previous edition of our newsletter, finds that truly standout college applications often demonstrate impact on a scale of millions - whether that's people reached or dollars earned.
Eesha Khare, who invented a supercapacitor that could charge a cell phone in 20 seconds, used her junior year to refine her invention and enter it into national competitions. Her project won the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, gaining international recognition.
Key steps for junior year:
Enter prestigious competitions in your field. Winners of competitions like Intel ISEF, Google Science Fair, or Regeneron Science Talent Search have very high acceptance rates at top universities.
Seek publication of your work. A study by the Journal of College Admission found that students with published research were 4 times more likely to be admitted to top-tier universities.
Leverage technology to scale your project. Many successful applicants have used social media, apps, or online platforms to reach a wider audience.
Senior Year: Solidifying Your Legacy
The goal of senior year is to bring your Olympic-level project to fruition and articulate its impact compellingly in your application. Research by William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions at Harvard, emphasizes the importance of sustained commitment and tangible results. Projects that demonstrate long-term dedication and measurable impact are highly valued.
Malala Yousafzai, while admittedly an extreme example of a student, used her senior year to solidify her global impact on girls' education. Her work culminated in a Nobel Peace Prize, demonstrating the level of achievement that truly stands out in college admissions.
Key steps for senior year:
Quantify the impact of your project. Admissions officers respond well to concrete numbers and tangible results.
Craft essays that vividly describe your journey. The Common App essay is your opportunity to bring your project to life or link it to your own personal experience.
Secure strong recommendation letters from mentors who can speak to the significance of your work. A study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that teacher recommendations were the third most important factor in admissions decisions, after grades and test scores.
Last Notes
This roadmap illustrates the level of achievement that can set applicants apart in the current admissions landscape. While the journey is challenging, the data suggests that such Olympic-level achievements can increase admission chances from the average 2-3% to upwards of 75% for top performers.
It's important to note that this path requires intense focus, dedication, and often, access to resources not available to all students. However, for those able to pursue it, this strategy aligns with the current trends in highly selective college admissions, as evidenced by the success stories and data presented.
Remember, every student's journey is unique, and this roadmap should be adapted to individual circumstances and passions. The key is to strive for exceptional achievement in an area you're genuinely passionate about, creating impact that extends far beyond your high school walls. In the new landscape of college admissions, it's not just about being the best student in your school—it's about being among the best in the world at what you do.
Good luck!
Best,
Joshua
Founder
75 Percent Chance