Command Education

09/09/2026

Not all pre-college summer programs are created equal.

A program bearing the name of an elite university can look impressive on a college application, but the price tag doesn’t necessarily translate to admissions value.

As highlighted in Chris Rim's latest Forbes, there’s an important distinction between pay-to-participate pre-college programs and competitive, merit-based summer programs.

The goal shouldn’t be to simply spend the summer at a prestigious university. It should be to use the summer to build depth, expertise, and meaningful experiences that contribute to a compelling college application.

📖 Read the full article for a closer look at what families should consider when evaluating summer programs.

Almost every summer offering for high schoolers falls into one of two categories, and while they may look similar on the surface, the distinction matters immensely.

09/04/2026

Early application deadlines are approaching, and for many students, it's an important milestone in the college admissions process.

But applying Early Decision or Early Action is about more than submitting an application ahead of the regular deadline. Students need to understand the differences between application pathways, carefully evaluate their early strategy, prepare competitive materials, and have a thoughtful plan in place if they are deferred.

Christopher Rim's latest Forbes piece breaks down what students and families should know about Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Ivy League deadlines, EDII, and preparing for the final stretch before November.

Read the full article:

Early Decision and Early Action are effective college application strategies, boosting acceptance rates for students while providing colleges with better yield rates.

08/27/2026

The college admissions landscape is shifting, and the latest Common App data shows just how much.

So, what do these trends mean for students applying this year? 📈

From growing application volumes to the return of standardized testing, understanding the data can help students and families make smarter, more informed decisions about their college application strategy.

📖 Read Command Education CEO Chris Rim's latest Forbes here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2026/08/27/the-common-app-just-released-new-data-here-are-3-things-college-applicants-need-to-know/

08/26/2026

What makes a college application stand out beyond grades and test scores?

Command Education CEO Chris Rim recently spoke with The U.S. Sun about how supplemental opportunities, including video introductions, can give admissions officers a more authentic view of a student’s personality, passions, and voice.

For families navigating an increasingly AI-driven admissions landscape, these details can make a meaningful difference.

Read the full article:

A COLLEGE admission coach helping students get into some of America’s top schools has opened up about a crucial yet often-missed application question. Christopher Rim said teenagers can human…

08/24/2026

AI detection just got more complicated.

Anthropic’s new watermarking technology for Claude could make AI-generated writing easier to identify, but that doesn’t necessarily mean schools now have a foolproof way to catch AI use.

As educators navigate widespread AI use, academic integrity, and the risk of falsely accusing students, the bigger question may be: Can technology actually give us certainty about how a piece of writing was created?

In his most recent Forbes piece, Command Education CEO Christopher Rim explores what Claude’s new watermarking could mean for students, educators, and the future of AI in education.

⬇️ Read the full Forbes article below.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2026/08/21/claudes-new-watermarking-could-create-a-bigger-problem-for-educators/

08/13/2026

Last week, the Common App officially opened, kicking off this year’s admission cycle and allowing students to begin working on one of the most important components of their application: the personal statement. 📝

This 650-word essay is one of the only parts of the application where a student gets to speak directly to the admissions committee, in their own words, about who they actually are.

For students embarking on essay writing this fall, Command Education CEO, Chris Rim, shares three things to keep in mind in order to write an essay that admissions officers won’t forget.

📖 Read the full Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2026/08/12/the-common-app-is-open-heres-what-actually-makes-an-essay-unforgettable/

07/20/2026

In the age of AI-generated writing, authentic voice matters more than ever. The strongest personal statements are not the most polished. They are the ones that sound unmistakably like the student who wrote them.

In this Forbes piece, Command Education CEO Christopher Rim explores why developing that voice takes more than last-minute editing.

📖 Read the full article here:

As August 1st swiftly approaches, rising seniors embark on one of the most challenging tasks in the college admissions process: writing the personal statement.

06/23/2026

Think a summer job won’t help your college application? Think again. 🍦

Many students assume they need a prestigious internship or selective summer program to impress colleges. But working a summer job can be just as valuable.

From communication and teamwork to leadership and problem-solving, students develop real-world skills that top colleges want to see. More importantly, they demonstrate initiative, responsibility, and a willingness to learn.

The most impactful summer experiences aren’t always the most glamorous. They’re the ones that help students grow.

Read the full Forbes article to learn why a summer job may be one of the smartest ways to spend your summer. https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2026/06/11/5-job-skills-employers-want-most---and-why-a-high-school-summer-job-teaches-them-all/

06/19/2026

One of the biggest concerns families share when they first begin the college admissions journey is uncertainty. With the process becoming increasingly competitive and complex, many families worry they don't know what they don't know and whether they're making the most of their student's time and opportunities.

Strong admissions outcomes are only part of the story. The most meaningful growth happens when students have the guidance and support to explore their interests, pursue their passions, and develop into confident, purpose-driven individuals.

That transformation is what makes the college admissions journey truly worthwhile.

Read the full Q&A with Sean, Command Education's Director of Enrollment, to learn more about the questions families are asking and how our team helps students navigate the path to college with confidence. https://www.commandeducation.com/qa/getting-started-with-command/

06/17/2026

🚨 Columbia has officially joined the rest of the Ivy League.

Beginning with the 2027-2028 admissions cycle, Columbia will once again require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. This makes it the final Ivy League institution to reinstate a standardized testing requirement.

What does this mean for students? As top colleges renew their focus on academic readiness, students who start preparing early and challenge themselves academically will be best positioned for success.

With that said, it’s important to keep in mind that although test scores matter, it’s still only a piece of a holistic review.

Learn how Command Education Mentors help students navigate every step of the admissions process. https://www.commandeducation.com/get-started/