It's easy for high school students to feel overwhelmed by the admissions process and the intense competition.

Top schools receive thousands of applicants with perfect grades and test scores every year.

So the natural instinct for our kids is to try to "beat the competition."

They join every club, take the toughest classes, and constantly try to outdo their peers—all in hopes of standing out.

But here's the thing...

The real key to college admissions isn't being better than everyone else.

It's being different.

Admissions officers aren't sitting there with a checklist, comparing kids point by point.

"Hmm, should we pick Johnny with his 4.0 GPA or Sarah with her perfect SAT score?"

They rarely (if ever) compare applications side by side like that.

Instead, they are looking for students who bring something unique, that aligns with their goals and adds to the diversity of their incoming class.

Now, some students do well with competition.

It drives them to work harder and achieve more.

But for others, this intense competition can be paralyzing. They get so caught up in what others are doing that they forget their own dreams and goals.

If your child falls into this second group, I suggest a different approach...

Encourage them to stay focused on becoming a better version of themselves.

In other words, the only person they should be competing against is the person they were yesterday.

Instead of trying to keep up with others, they should work on finding and developing their own talents in a way no one else can replicate.

This is how they will stand out.

And the sooner they start, the more prepared they'll be when 12th grade arrives.

That's why I started my College Admissions Academy—to give ambitious students in 9th and 10th grade the tools and guidance they need to get into their dream college.

Our next coaching call is happening on September 1st.

We will be discussing how to build a Student Brand that helps them stand out from the competition.

There's still time to join this group for the new school year.

Click the link below to learn more and secure their spot in the Academy.

https://collegeadmissionssecrets.com/academy

Dr. Agnia Grigas
Founder - College Admissions Secrets
Author - ‘‘How to Win the Million Dollar College Admissions Game’’

Resources for Ambitious Parents!

📚 Brand new to college admissions?
Click here to grab a copy of my new book "How To Win The Million Dollar College Admissions Game" →

🏫 Need recommendations or have admissions questions?
Click here to join a community of 19,000 ambitious parents. →

📋 Need specialized help for your child?
Click here to get an initial admissions assessment for your child. →