10 Types of Students Cooked in College Admissions

Navigating the college admissions landscape has always been tough, but some students unknowingly find themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Whether due to their school’s relationship with certain universities, their geographic location, or other subtle factors, these students may face additional hurdles.

Here’s a look at the top 10 types of applicants who might be getting cooked this admissions cycle:

10. Students Whose School Has a Bad Relationship With the College

Not all high schools are equal in the eyes of college admissions committees. If your school has historically had low-yield rates (many accepted students choosing not to attend) or issues with academic rigor, your applications could be overlooked by top colleges. Colleges want applicants from schools that have a solid history of producing high-quality, college-ready students, and a bad relationship can have a lasting effect.

9. Waitlist Applicants Who Need Aid

While getting on the waitlist is a glimmer of hope, if you’re a waitlisted applicant who requires financial aid, the odds aren’t in your favor. Colleges often prioritize waitlisted students who can pay full tuition to balance their financial aid budgets. It’s a hard truth, but financial need can be the tipping point, so those needing aid are less likely to be pulled off the waitlist.

8. Students with Anime Extracurriculars

While passion is important, anime-related extracurriculars can sometimes be seen as too niche or unconventional by admissions officers. The key to extracurriculars is demonstrating how your interests relate to broader academic or career goals, or how they have driven personal growth. For students deeply invested in anime, finding ways to connect that passion to leadership, creativity, or cross-cultural understanding can help make this unique interest an asset.

7. Students Who Change Their Essay Topic 3+ Times

Indecisiveness in essay topics can suggest a lack of self-awareness or direction, qualities that top colleges actively seek out. Constantly changing topics might mean you’re struggling to find an authentic voice, making it difficult for admissions officers to understand your values and goals. We've seen firsthand what happens when a student rushes their essay at the last minute. Students who start with a clear idea and build on it, rather than flip-flopping, tend to come across as more confident and focused.

6. Applicants Whose Parent is a Truck Driver

Colleges claim to seek diversity in backgrounds, but, unfortunately, applicants from blue-collar backgrounds sometimes face challenges in standing out, especially if they are from non-targeted regions. Colleges often prioritize first-generation college students or students whose backgrounds align with particular diversity initiatives. Moreover, blue collar parents often have an approach that prioritizes manual labor or short-term jobs, rather than building the resume. While this is unfortunate, blue-collar applicants can maximize their applications by emphasizing unique perspectives.

5. All Westchester Applicants

Westchester County, New York, is saturated with competitive students who are well-prepared and coached through the admissions process. With so many applicants from one area, admissions offices may limit the number they accept to avoid an overrepresentation of similar backgrounds. The competition is fierce, so standing out often requires something unique, such as a standout extracurricular or significant achievement.

4. Students Who Requested Aid but Don’t Qualify

If you applied for financial aid but don’t fully qualify, colleges may see this as a potential issue when balancing their budgets. This situation might send a message that you lack the financial resources needed but are also unable to afford the full cost. Applicants who find themselves in this position might consider seeking scholarships outside of the university or discussing alternative financing options with admissions.

3. Students with a Parent Who is an Engineering Manager

Admissions officers frequently encounter applicants with a parent in engineering, and while there’s nothing wrong with this, it may contribute to a perception that the applicant’s interests are guided by family influence. Standing out may be challenging here. To combat this, students can emphasize their personal goals, highlighting independent projects or achievements that speak to their unique approach to STEM or another chosen field.

2. Bay Area Suburb Students at Competitive Schools

The Bay Area is home to some of the most competitive public and private high schools in the country. Colleges often cap the number of students they accept from highly competitive regions to ensure diversity across their student body. Students in these areas should focus on presenting authentic stories and qualities that differentiate them from their high-achieving peers, showing colleges why they stand out among an elite crowd.

1. International Students Without Connections

International applicants already face intense competition for limited spaces, and those without personal or family connections may find the admissions process even tougher. Legacy admissions or connections often play a significant role for international students, particularly at elite U.S. schools. For students without these connections, standing out will require a distinctive academic record and well-defined personal statement that highlights unique global perspectives and contributions. Students are often cooked that didn't attend a school that starts with "American School," "British School..." you get the point.

In Summary

College admissions is nuanced, and while some students face obstacles due to their background, geographic location, or family circumstances, there are ways to rise above these challenges. Finding a distinct voice, focusing on authentic personal narratives, and pursuing unique, meaningful achievements are ways to increase one’s chances despite these disadvantages.

Schedule a Consultation with Ivy Brothers

Ivy Brothers has helped many students who are in the aforementioned competitive categories avoid getting rejected from the Ivy League. Schedule a consultation today!