A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a young woman named Sarah while conducting Alumni interviews for Columbia.

Sarah was extraordinary.

She exuded confidence, showcased strong leadership skills, and had a way with people that was simply impressive.

She also gained an advantage by using her music and singing skills to get involved in politics.

Near the end of our interview, Sarah flipped the script and asked me a question:

She asked — “What do you think? Do you think I’m a strong candidate?”

I couldn't help but be honest with her:

“Everything you’ve shared with me is amazing. But, of course, your grades and curriculum are a big deciding factor here.”

As an interviewer, I couldn't see her transcripts or SAT scores, but her reaction revealed something unfortunate…

"I thought that didn't matter as much anymore..." Sarah replied with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

She thought the “holistic” admissions process meant her talents and personality were enough to outweigh low grades and a weak curriculum.

This couldn't be further from the truth.

Academics are the foundations of the college application.

Just like a child can't read without learning their ABCs, a student won't gain admission to a top college without a track record of academic achievement—we're talking grades, rank, and test scores.

Sure, college admissions have changed a lot, but one thing stays the same:

Academics are the first filter for competitive college admissions.

Even the most brilliant branding and application strategies will crumble if a student doesn't have a rock-solid academic foundation to stand on.

I don't cover academics too often, but this is an important reminder for folks who might be under the same false impression as Sarah.

If you have any doubts or questions about your child’s academic curriculum, then it’s worth chatting and evaluating if they're on the right track.

My calendar is open for this week and you can book a call by clicking the link below and following the instructions.

https://www.collegeadmissionssecrets.com/assessment-call

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

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