One of the foundational principles of my admissions philosophy is Pareto's principle, also known as the 80/20 rule.

In short, it means that roughly 80% of outcomes come from just 20% of inputs.

And when it comes to college admissions...

This couldn't be more true!

Even though this advice makes sense to most parents and students—they are often too afraid to let go.

Let me explain:

When I start working with a new family, one of the first things we do is take a deep dive into how the student is spending their time.

We scrutinize their schedule to find the highest-leverage activities, the filler activities, and any gaps.

Then, we strategically reorganize the schedule in a way that is both productive and enjoyable for the student.

Now, most parents and students love this approach—until they have to take action and let go of certain activities.

Don't get me wrong—I would NEVER ask a student to completely abandon an activity they genuinely enjoy.

But when it comes to those 4th, 5th, 6th+ activities that bring the LEAST value and satisfaction?

They've gotta go.

In the world of college admissions, doing more does NOT equal better results.

In fact, it often leads to:

• LESS unique achievements overall.

• An unfocused personal brand and "spike."

• And ultimately, LOWER quality applications.

At some point, piling on the activities just becomes a distraction.

It diverts your child's attention away from maximizing their potential in the areas where they can truly shine.

So, what's the solution?

Be intentional. Whittle those activities down to a few key areas of focus.

Then, go deep.

Encourage your child to take their chosen activities to the next level—become a leader, organize an event, start an initiative. Whatever that looks like for them.

And the beauty of this approach?

Your child will stand out to admissions committees AND free up precious time and energy to hang out with friends, spend quality time with family, and enjoy their high school years!

THAT is how they'll stay motivated and avoid the dreaded burnout.

So, here's how you can put this into action:

Spend time with your child this week to go through their schedule and answer the question — What's one activity or commitment you can let go of?

Bonus points if you reply to this email and let me know, I read and respond to all of them!

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

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