Every couple of years, something surges in emerging technology to such an extent that it completely shifts the conversations happening not just in the news or in classrooms, but among students thinking about their future career path. In the 1990s it was the internet, in the 2010s it was coding mobile applications, and today, in the 2020s, it is Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Without a doubt, the most common interest we are hearing these days from tech-minded students is in joining the AI revolution. That’s awesome, but it’s also risky if you don’t pursue it right. Simply being interested in AI doesn’t make a college application stand out, and the opportunities available to young students are still catching up to the interest.
Early Decision Strategy for NYU (New York University) 2025-2026
Located right in the middle of Manhattan, New York University (NYU) isn’t your typical college campus – in fact, there isn’t really a “campus” at all. NYU is famous for their programs in everything from business and film to international relations and neuroscience, and they’re also known for their network of 13 global campuses located everywhere from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Abu Dhabi. And they’re selective: the Regular Decision acceptance rate in 2025 was 7.7%, the lowest it’s ever been, but the Early Decision acceptance rate is around 30%. Which means if you’re serious about NYU, there’s really only one move to make.
Early Action Strategy for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2025-2026
MIT is one of the preeminent science and technology-focused universities in the world. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts right across the river from Boston, it attracts students from across the country, and around the world, through its STEM-centric offerings and history of being at the cutting edge of emerging technologies. MIT is also widely respected as a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Early Action Strategy for the University of Southern California (USC) 2025-2026
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in the heart of Los Angeles, just a short drive from the beach and even closer to the entertainment industry. USC is known for blending academic rigor with a dynamic student life, and they’ve made a name for themselves in everything from film to engineering to business. Over the past few years, USC has gotten extremely competitive, with their acceptance rates dropping to the single digits. They also recently introduced an early action decision plan, new for them, and we think it’s a smart choice.
Early Action Strategy for the University of Michigan 2025-2026
The University of Michigan isn’t any university — it’s one of the best schools in the nation. Mich is a state research university with over 34,000 undergraduate students. You may get lost in a crowd at a game in the Big House, but the Mich programs don’t fade into the background. They are home to more than a dozen programs ranked in the in the country, and top students nationally put Mich on their lists alongside Ivy League universities and private schools like Stanford and the University of Chicago. Mich is in the top 5 public universities in the country.
Early Decision Strategy for Carnegie Mellon University 2025-2026
Carnegie Mellon University, or CMU, is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. a research university experience in a manageable undergraduate environment of just over 7,700 undergraduate students and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. There are a lot of options, too. CMU has 90 majors and minors across six undergraduate colleges alongside an interdisciplinary culture and philosophy that celebrates cross-pollination. Instead of “,” CMU encourages students to break down walls. CMU also has a strong international student community — and a big one — with 23% of undergrads qualifying as international students as of the fall of 2023.
Early Decision Strategy for Dartmouth University 2025-2026
Dartmouth is a highly-respected university in Hanover, New Hampshire, and member of the Ivy League. The college is best known for bringing together the triumvirate of college good times: exceptional academics, a fun culture that centers celebration and athleticism, and a close-knit community. Students who attend Dartmouth aren’t afraid of being hours away from an international airport, or of a good time. What they graduate with, though, is an iconic degree that kickstarts an outstanding future.
Restrictive Early Action Strategy for Stanford 2025-2026
Stanford University needs no introduction. As one of America’s most elite schools, its name precedes it. Located in the aptly named Stanford, California, the university is a NorCal favorite with exceptional academics, a sprawling suburban campus, and a reputation for innovation. Stanford is among the most competitive schools in America. Hopeful students need to have an airtight application and a great plan. If you are serious about Stanford, part of that plan will most likely include applying through their Restrictive Early Action option.
Early Decision Strategy for Brown 2025-2026
Brown is an Ivy League university in Providence, Rhode Island, and is home to what is widely considered one of the best undergraduate colleges in the country. Brown stands out among the cohort of elite schools, though, because it is distinctly different. Whereas most top schools have a liberal arts curriculum that requires breadth, Brown approaches things differently. They offer a truly unique educational experience centered around an open curriculum that encourages students to explore broadly while deepening into their passions to their heart’s content.
Early Decision Strategy for the University of Virginia 2025-2026
Early Decision Strategy for Barnard 2025-2026
Barnard is an iconic all-women’s college in New York City and part of its next-door neighbor, Columbia University. Students at Barnard benefit from the perspective of a women-first learning environment while also having access to, and often full integration with, the Columbia undergraduate experience. Clubs, classes, and athletics are nearly entirely integrated, but Barnard offers a unique learning environment — and a notably higher between 8 and 9%. This doesn’t mean Barnard is easy to get into, though. Nine out of a hundred applicants is not optimistic, so a Barnard application strategy is necessary if you want to get in.
Restrictive Early Action Strategy for Harvard 2025-2026
Harvard is Harvard. The university is known for producing political, business, medical, academic, and scientific leaders, and it is one of the most iconic institutions of higher education in the world. There are a little over 7,000 undergraduate students, and twice as many graduate students. Unsurprisingly, it is exceptionally hard to get into.
Early Decision Strategy for Columbia University 2025-2026
Columbia is an iconic Ivy League university in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The school has some of the most renowned academic programs in the world, paired with astonishing opportunities. Students often pick Columbia College or Columbia Engineering for their undergraduate education because of exactly this combination. They know that they can earn a valuable degree in a vibrant setting with outstanding resources.
Early Decision Strategy for UChicago 2025-2026
The University of Chicago (UChicago) is a private research university located in, you guessed it, Chicago, Illinois. UChicago is one of the most popular colleges amongst our clients, and it’s one of the best places to study things like econ, public policy, business, and math. UChicago is considered an “Ivy+” school, which means we categorize it along with other highly selective non-Ivies like Stanford, MIT, and Duke because of their rigor and exclusivity. If you’re serious about UChicago, we implore you to apply early, and we’re going to make the case for why.
Early Decision Strategy for UPenn 2025-2026
The University of Pennsylvania, often called UPenn or Penn, is one of the eight schools of The Ivy League. It is one of the oldest colleges in America. It boasts a historic campus, a world-renowned business school, the only undergrad nursing program in the Ivy League, and a spirited undergraduate community. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Penn offers a great mix of city and campus living. While it isn’t the most competitive of the Ivies, make no mistake, it is still an extremely hard-to-get-into and elite institution. Applicants who are serious about getting into Penn need to consider applying early decision.
Early Decision Strategy for Cornell 2025-2026
Early Decision Strategy for Duke 2025-2026
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private research institution known for academic excellence, strong school spirit, and sports teams with a serious following (hello, Cameron Crazies). The university has built a reputation as one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Duke is especially well-regarded for its programs in public policy, biomedical engineering, and pre-law, and with acceptance rates dropping each year, it’s only getting more competitive. In 2025, their regular decision acceptance rate was under 5%, while ED acceptance sat at 12.8%. These stats put Duke fully in competition with Ivies, with schools like Yale having almost identical numbers.
Single Choice Early Action Strategy for Princeton 2025-2026
Princeton University is an elite college in, where else, Princeton, New Jersey. If you are looking for an Ivy League school that prioritizes research and critical thinking, Princeton is likely already on your list. It almost feels silly to introduce Princeton; it is one of the most famous universities in the world. However, we specifically love them for their robust financial aid program, leading programs in subjects like public affairs and computer science, and great residential programs. It's no secret that Princeton is an excellent school, which also makes it highly competitive to get into. You need a solid strategy, and likely part of that plan will be applying through their Single-Choice Early Action option.
Early Action Strategy for the University of Texas at Austin 2024-2025
Located in the heart of Austin, the University of Texas at Austin is a top-tier public research university known for academic excellence, school spirit, and a culture that blends innovation with tradition. Founded in 1883, UT has grown into a national powerhouse, especially renowned for its business, communications, engineering, and computer science programs. With its rising prestige and increasingly competitive admissions, UT Austin isn’t just a Texas favorite, it’s quickly become one of the most popular colleges among our clients.
Early Decision Strategy for Vanderbilt 2025-2026
Located right next to Music Row in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private research university known for excellent academics, strong culture, and powerhouse sports teams. It was founded just after the Civil War thanks to a hefty donation from railroad magnate and Anderson Cooper ancestor Cornelius Vanderbilt. Today, Vandy is especially well-known for their programs in business and law, and they’ve gotten very selective in recent years. In 2024, the regular decision acceptance rate dropped to just 3.7%, while early decision sat at 15.2%