The single most pervasive myth that surrounds the elite college admissions process is that of the well-rounded applicant. Families all too often think that their child will optimize their case for admission to Princeton or Stanford by coming across as a jack-of-all-trades. These families come to Ivy Coach touting the fact that their son is the editor of the high school’s newspaper, captain of the track team, researcher at the local university, and volunteer at the homeless shelter — as though this diversified portfolio of activities will be irresistible to admissions officers. 

We are quick to curb this enthusiasm. There’s nothing more detrimental to an academically-ambitious high schooler’s case for college admission than coming across as well-rounded. But why does this myth continue to have the hold that it does over otherwise savvy students and families? Like all misguided colloquial knowledge, the well-rounded myth stems from a kernel of truth. Colleges did look for well rounded students to fill their campuses — in the 1980s and earlier! Parents, in particular, often have a hard time swallowing this pill because it runs contrary to their own admissions experiences. But the times, they have a-changed!

Ivy Coach’s Alternative to the Well-Rounded Student: The Singularly Talented Student

Not to toot our own horn, but we at Ivy Coach were among the first to ring the alarm bells decades ago on the misguided logic underlying the well-rounded myth. We were also the first to offer up promising high schoolers a viable alternative: the singular admissions hook. That’s right, a well-rounded resume should be thrown away in favor of an incredibly specialized docket of extracurricular activities that convey that you are soon to be the world’s next expert or specialist in one particular field. Even if you currently have a resume that reads like the one we listed above, with activities that suggest you’ve dipped your feet in many different pursuits, reframing your narrative will work wonders on your elite college admissions chances.

Why is the singular hook the name of the game? Because highly selective colleges must be assured that every student they admit will take advantage of their vast resources and opportunities. With acceptance rates dwindling into the single digits and applicant pools rising into the tens of thousands, elite schools are in no position to take chances with one of their precious admission slots on a well-rounded applicant who doesn’t know what they want out of their undergraduate education. These schools need to be sure that each and every student will make meaningful contributions to our world.

An Effective Singular Hook is All in the Execution

What’s the best way to assure these colleges that you are worth the gamble? The singular hook! But framing your application around a singular hook is easier said than done. Misinformation continues to abound on the subject. You’re given ten slots on The Common Application to list your extracurricular activities, so surely using three of these to list your high school sports won’t hurt your chance of being perceived as the next best agriculturist, right? Nope — it will only serve to make you seem well-rounded. Your time spent building homes for disadvantaged communities will complement your efforts to revolutionize the world of marine biology, right? Try again. For better or for worse, admissions officers care much more about your potential to change our world in a singular way than your altruistic hobbies. We hope you get the picture.

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Craft a Singular Hook

Ivy Coach knows how to play the singular hook game. After all, we invented it. Don’t try to guess your way into the correct framing for elite college admissions. Instead, let us take on your child’s case. We’ll optimize their case for admission without succumbing to the well-rounded hype.

If you’re interested in optimizing your child’s case for admission to an elite college or university, fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.