Myth vs. Reality: What Top Colleges Are Actually Looking For

verything you've heard about getting into a top college — GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays — may not tell the whole story. Join Dr. Aya Waller-Bey, former Georgetown University admissions officer and PhD researcher in college admissions, for a myth-busting look at what selective colleges are actually looking for in applicants. Drawing on her rare dual perspective as someone who reviewed applications firsthand and spent years studying the admissions process academically, Dr. Waller-Bey will separate fact from fiction on the questions students and parents most often get wrong. Walk away with a clearer, more accurate picture of what it truly takes to stand out — and a smarter strategy for getting there.