It’s Not You, It’s Me: Fixing Your Applicant Profile for the Regular Decision Round

Written by Brandon, Brown University

As high school seniors approach the Regular Decision round after possibly disappointing Early Action or Early Decision outcomes, it’s essential to reassess and refine your college application profile. Many applicants make common mistakes that can lead to rejection from top colleges, including Ivy League universities. Here are key areas to address, along with actionable advice for students and parents.

Presenting Yourself as Well-Rounded and Generic

One of the most frequent pitfalls in college applications is presenting a well-rounded but ultimately generic profile. Admissions officers at Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale seek students who stand out, not those who blend in with a laundry list of activities. A common misconception is that being involved in numerous clubs and sports will impress admissions committees. However, this approach often dilutes your unique strengths and interests.

Actionable Advice: Focus on depth rather than breadth in your extracurricular activities. Select a few key areas where you can demonstrate significant commitment and achievement. For example, if you are passionate about environmental science, consider leading a sustainability initiative at your school or volunteering with local conservation efforts. This not only showcases leadership but also aligns with your interests, making your application more compelling. Discuss these experiences in your essays and the Common App activities section to illustrate how they have shaped your identity.

Writing What You Think Admissions Officers Want to Read

Many students fall into the trap of writing what they believe admissions officers want to hear instead of being authentic. This often results in essays that lack sincerity and fail to convey the applicant's true personality. Ivy League admissions committees are adept at recognizing when an essay feels rehearsed or insincere.

Actionable Advice: Reflect on your personal experiences and values to craft an authentic narrative. Avoid using clichés or trying to fit a mold that you think admissions officers prefer. Instead, share genuine stories that highlight your passions and motivations. For instance, if you have a love for music, write about how it has influenced your life rather than simply stating that you play an instrument. Engaging storytelling will resonate more with readers than generic statements about success or ambition.

Having a Poor Profile Fit for Your Selected Major

Another common error is applying to colleges without considering how well your profile aligns with your intended major. For instance, if you aspire to major in engineering but have taken minimal math or science courses, this mismatch can raise red flags for admissions officers at schools like MIT or Stanford.

Actionable Advice: Conduct thorough research on the requirements for your intended major at each school on your list. Ensure that your high school coursework reflects this path—if you're interested in engineering, take advanced math and science classes; if journalism is your goal, focus on English and communication courses. If you realize during the early round that your profile does not align well with your intended major, consider adjusting either your course selection or your major choice before applying in the Regular Decision round.

Having a Poor Idea of What You Would Want to Do on Campus

Many applicants struggle with articulating what they hope to gain from their college experience or how they plan to contribute to campus life. This lack of clarity can be detrimental when applying to competitive schools like Columbia or UPenn.

Actionable Advice: Take time to explore what you want from a college experience beyond academics. Research clubs, organizations, and initiatives at each institution that resonate with you. In your application essays, clearly express how you plan to engage with the campus community—whether through joining specific clubs related to your interests or initiating projects that align with your passions. This demonstrates not only interest but also foresight in contributing positively to the campus environment.

Giving Cookie-Cutter Application Materials That Are Clearly Reused

Using the same application materials across multiple colleges without tailoring them can lead to rejection from even the most prestigious institutions. Admissions officers can easily spot recycled essays or generic responses that fail to address specific prompts.

Actionable Advice: Customize each application by thoroughly researching each college's values and programs. When writing essays, specifically address why you are interested in that institution—mention unique programs or faculty members that attract you. For example, if applying to New York University (NYU), discuss its urban setting and how it complements your career aspirations in business or arts rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. This level of detail shows genuine interest and effort, which can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance.

Conclusion

As high school seniors prepare for the Regular Decision round after potentially disappointing early applications, addressing these common pitfalls is crucial for improving their applicant profiles. By focusing on authenticity, aligning academic profiles with intended majors, clearly articulating campus contributions, and customizing application materials, students can enhance their chances of acceptance into their dream colleges—whether they be Ivy League schools or other prestigious institutions across the country. With careful planning and reflection, applicants can turn their profiles into compelling narratives that resonate with admissions officers and reflect their true selves.

Discover the difference of The Ivy Institute—where if you can dream it, we can build it! At The Ivy Institute, we don’t just help students get accepted into top Ivy League and Ivy Plus colleges — we have the resources to develop students into the candidates top colleges and admissions officers seek, and transform your CommonApp college application and essays. Join us for a 30-minute information session on applying for college with an Ivy League expert and see how we can make your college dreams a reality. Schedule your consultation today!