Top Tier Admissions

10/09/2026

In February, Johns Hopkins University commemorated its Sesquicentennial Year, celebrating its status as the oldest research university in the nation. Since 1876, Johns Hopkins has educated students to push boundaries well beyond the classroom, to the world “far and wide.” High school seniors wishing to become a part of Johns Hopkins’ rich history need an outstanding academic record of achievement and high test scores. More than that, however, they need to demonstrate an ability to build bridges as disparate members of a dynamic, cohesive community.

Undergraduates applying as first-year students to Johns Hopkins must answer one additional supplemental prompt designed to give the admissions committee insight into how a student reaches across divides.

2026–2027 Supplemental Essay Prompt*

At Johns Hopkins, community is built through dialogue, collaboration, and a willingness to engage across differences.

Applying to Johns Hopkins this year? Get expert tips for the 2026 - 2027 supplemental essay, from understanding the prompt to standing out in review.

10/08/2026

Choosing a secondary school is one of the first big academic decisions a family makes, and it shapes so much of what comes after.

Join us Wednesday, October 14 at 8:00 PM ET for Inside Secondary School Admissions, a live panel on private school and boarding school admissions. You'll hear from Shanique Garcia, Director of Engagement and Partnerships at Taft School; Audra McFarland, Head of Enrollment Management at The Winsor School; and Kate Caspar, Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions.

We'll walk through the secondary school application process from visits and interviews to committee decisions, what admissions officers look for in strong applicants, and how families can handle waitlists and find the right fit.
Reserve your spot through the link in our bio.

10/07/2026

What makes a college application stand out to admissions readers?

Meet Kayte Hager, Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions. In this reel, she explains what catches a reader’s attention in a selective college application, from students who have deepened their academic interests and demonstrated their academic vitality, and that clearly articulated their academic story and trajectory.

Have a question for Kayte about your application? Schedule a conversation with our team through the link in our bio.

10/07/2026

At NYU, a strong application starts with real research. Admissions readers want to see the specific courses, professors, and departments that connect to what you hope to study, not a general love of New York City.

This guide covers the NYU supplemental essays for 2026 to 2027, including the optional Bridge-Builder essay. It's 250 words on bridging divides and helping people learn and work together. Our advice is to write it. An optional essay is a real chance to show more of who you are and your genuine interest in NYU, and that can matter a great deal in Regular Decision.

Before you submit, check your program's requirements. Tisch asks every applicant for an audition or portfolio. Steinhardt asks for one from Music and Studio Art applicants. MLK Jr. Scholars applicants write an additional essay.

Is NYU on your list? Connect with our team today.

10/07/2026

For families of talented artists, musicians, actors, or dancers, the college application process brings a unique set of decisions. Beyond standard requirements—essays, activity lists, test scores, and transcripts—students presenting artistic talent must decide how to showcase those gifts to admissions committees. The key is finding the right educational environment: deciding whether your student will thrive by integrating artistic expression into a broad academic journey or by dedicating themselves fully to conservatory training.

Below is your roadmap through arts admissions.

Is your artist better suited to a liberal arts college, conservatory, or dual degree? Compare pathways, arts supplements, auditions, and key deadlines.

10/07/2026

Here is a simple breakdown of the Regular Decision plan for seniors. RD is non-binding, deadlines fall in early to mid-January, and the strongest applications are drafted in the fall, not over winter break. Swipe through to compare ED, EA, and RD deadlines and see a month-by-month timeline.

If you’re looking for personalized strategy and guidance, connect with our team today. The Top Tier Admissions team brings decades of experience across selective admissions and education, including former admissions officers from Harvard, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Boston College, Northwestern, and other leading universities, as well as award-winning educators and counselors from top independent schools. We help students find their authentic voice and shape it into essays that sound like them. Visit the link in our bio to schedule a conversation.

10/05/2026

In her latest Forbes article, Dr. Liz Doe Stone, CEO of Top Tier Admissions, explores what this year’s record-breaking university gifts can tell college applicants. From Ken Griffin’s historic $3 billion gift to Carnegie Mellon to new investments in engineering, the humanities, civil discourse, and financial aid, major philanthropy reveals where higher education is placing its biggest bets.

As Dr. Liz Doe Stone | College Admissions writes, rankings look backward, while investment can look forward. For families building a college list, these gifts are a form of institutional intelligence. They can prompt better questions on campus visits and a more thoughtful view of how each university’s priorities fit a student’s goals.

Read the full article at the link in our bio. To explore how these insights apply to your student’s college search, schedule a conversation with our team at Top Tier Admissions.

10/03/2026

With acceptance rates in the single digits, earning a spot at New York University (NYU) requires far more than just a completed Common App; it requires deliberate research and reflection.

The NYU admissions website welcomes prospective students with a 3-minute video that breaks down the application process into coherent steps. This modestly animated video is warmly inviting; the calming narrator aims to put even the most anxious applicants at ease. This tone is, of course, intentional. NYU wants you to apply. By removing common barriers—such as confusing requirements and uncertain deadlines—and utilizing the widely accepted Common Application, NYU makes the admissions process accessible and straightforward. That’s the good news.

The bad news (for applicants, that is) is that NYU offers only two pieces of advice before you begin the application: Know your deadlines. Do your research.

10/02/2026

Elite admissions guidance, shaped around your student’s unique story. 🎓

For more than 20 years, Top Tier Admissions has paired each student with one dedicated counselor, backed by a team of former admissions officers and elite college admissions professionals from schools like Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, and Northwestern. The result is high-touch, focused support built around your student, with personalized strategy, guidance, and expertise from an internationally recognized team.

Ready to talk? Tap the link in our bio to connect with our team.

10/02/2026

SAT or ACT? How to choose the right exam for your student 📝

The digital SAT and Enhanced ACT measure many of the same skills in reading, writing, and math. The real differences come down to format: the SAT is adaptive and gives more time per question, while the ACT moves faster and includes an optional science section. Neither test is harder or more coachable than the other.

Our counselors recommend a three-step approach:
1️⃣ Diagnose: Take one full-length official SAT and ACT under real timed conditions.
2️⃣ Compare: Use the official concordance table, then consider pacing and where your student felt the most strain.
3️⃣ Commit: Choose one exam, build a focused prep plan, and schedule the first sitting early enough to allow a retake.

What makes a score “strong”? It depends on the college. Each school’s Common Data Set and middle 50% range offer the best benchmarks. Many colleges remain test optional for 2026/27, but there are also many that require scores, including Penn, Yale, and Stanford.

Swipe for a side-by-side comparison. For a testing strategy built around your student’s strengths and college list, connect with our team through the link in our bio.