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Your Unfair Advantage for College Admissions
The data-driven blueprint to the Ivy League
Compared to flagship public grads, Ivy+ students are
Based on Raj Chetty et al.'s analysis
Harvard Economics Professor • MacArthur Genius • John Bates Clark Medal
Stop guessing, start winning
Founder of AGT
I went to a public high school in China that had never sent a student to the Ivy League. Through obsessive research, I became 1 of only 7 students from my country admitted to Columbia that year.
At Stanford, I earned my PhD in Economics and won the Centennial Teaching Award, the highest honor awarded for teaching by Stanford's School of Humanities and Sciences.
As the lead product manager, I commercialized TikTok's most iconic product — Hashtag Challenge.
It was later featured in
TechCrunch,
and I was named TikTok Monetization Org's MVP Employee of the Year.
Between meetings at TikTok, $1M+ executives kept asking: "How do I get my kid into Stanford or the Ivy League?"
That's when I realized — even the smartest people were guessing.
Admissions isn't magic. It's not some classified secret. It's understanding the game you're playing and knowing how to win it.
Mission
Admissions Game Theory. We make your talent impossible to miss.
Play your own game
It's time admissions take notice
Ethan walked into his Columbia alumni interview seeing every reason he wouldn't belong.
He saw a regional Science Olympiad gold medal (not national) and an eBay store with only single-digit sales.
Dr. Vivian saw something entirely different: a rising star in the making.
"On top of admission, Columbia also offered me a spot in their I.I. Rabi Scholar Program — a research program where only around ten freshmen are hand-picked by professors to become Rabi Scholars... Thank you so much for everything — I couldn't have done it without you!"
"As you may know, Columbia released its admission decisions a couple of days ago, and I am thrilled to inform you that I was accepted! On top of admission, Columbia also offered me a spot in their I.I. Rabi Scholar Program — a research program where only around ten freshmen are hand-picked by professors to become Rabi Scholars.
These students are awarded large amounts of funding to pursue their own research ideas, get individualized advising, and even get a lounge all to themselves! It seems as though this program is extremely well-tailored and effective in turning its scholars into very impressive scientists!
Upon hearing about the perks and prestige of this program, as well as how much I have liked Columbia from the beginning, in my mind, pretty much nothing at all could top it. I was offered admission by a few other good schools as well, but nothing could out-compete Columbia's incredible offer!
So, because of this, I am excited to tell you that I have officially committed to Columbia as a Rabi Scholar! I'm a Columbia Lion now! Roar lions roar!
I would like to take a second to express my appreciation: thank you so much for everything -- I couldn't have done it without you! I am sure that your kind words following our interview played an instrumental role in the outcome of my application, so thank you very much! I cannot emphasize my gratitude enough."
Today, Ethan is pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Harvard, making good use of every opportunity that began with a well-told story.
Until data replaced guesswork with clarity
Yifei had every credential that should inspire confidence: Caltech PhD in Economics,
multi-millionaire founder-CEO of Knitwise, former Engineering Director at Outreach.
His wife is a Software Engineer at Oracle—making them a true power couple in every sense.
Yet when it came to their son Guangyu's educational future, these accomplished professionals
found themselves searching for clarity in the complex landscape of U.S. college admissions.
"As immigrants who came to the U.S., my wife and I constantly worried about whether we were setting our son up for success.
American college admissions felt like a black box—so different from the Chinese system where higher test scores always win.
Dr. Vivian's course provided clarity through data and economic theory.
Her analysis of 150,000 Harvard applications replaced our guesswork with evidence-based strategy.
At $699, the Flagship Course delivered exceptional ROI—it's become our standing playbook,
and we recommend it without hesitation."
"As immigrants who came to the U.S., my wife and I constantly worried about whether we were setting our son up for success. American college admissions felt like a black box —so different from the Chinese system where higher test scores always win.
Dr. Vivian's course provided clarity through data and economic theory. Her analysis of 150,000 Harvard applications across multiple admissions cycles gave us something we'd been missing: actual evidence. The game-theory framework provided a logical structure that replaced our anxiety with understanding.
What stood out was how practical and actionable everything felt. Instead of vague advice, we got concrete frameworks —like the strategic approach for evaluating extracurricular paths —that helped us make informed decisions rather than guesses.
At $699, the Flagship Course delivered exceptional ROI —it's become our standing playbook that we return to again and again. As engineers, we value evidence over opinions. And this is the only college admissions guidance that's truly based on data and science. We recommend it without hesitation to any family looking for clarity in this complex process."
Today, they guide their son's educational journey with clarity and confidence — powered by insights from 150,000 Harvard applications and game theory.
The Algorithm
The Masterkey
The Voice
The Laser
The Blueprint
The Pitch
Get both Master Strategizer + Master Storyteller. Click any chapter to explore lessons and see exactly what you'll learn.
Learn how every part of your application is evaluated. Build a clear personal brand and plan a winning strategy that leverages your strengths.
Why perfect students fail and how Ivies think like VCs, not Fortune 500s
Until you understand why Ivies act the way they do, the entire college application process will continue to feel rigged—against you.
Ivy colleges are chasing things you'll never find on your transcript—and if you don't know what they are, you're falling behind.
Think of your application as a pitch deck. Are you playing it safe or showing signs of breakout success?
You're judged on how well you signal your potential—not just what you've done.
The hidden 1-5 scoring system that determines everything
Understand how your application gets read and who you need to win over => first reader
See the 1-5 scale that decides everything from academics to extracurriculars, sports, and personal
Chasing perfection spreads you thin. A sharp mix of strengths gets you better results.
Top applicants don't try to do it all. They focus on what matters most and build a personal brand that makes it count.
When to stop studying—perfect scores won't make you stand out
Great academics open the right doors from top jobs to elite incomes!
Perfect grades and test scores won't make you stand out. Learn when to stop studying
The Ivy Leagues expect academic excellence, so they treat it as a guardrail, not a differentiator
Once you clear the academic bar, what matters most is how you think, lead, and build.
How ECs are graded and the ROI framework for evaluating activities
EC activities are evaluated based on impact, not effort. Here's the grading rubric AOs use to decide your fate.
The right EC shows your domain leadership with clear direction, momentum and real impact.
Some ECs are not worth the tradeoffs. Do not commit unless the benefit outweighs the cost.
When sports help, when they hurt, and when to scale back
The athletic boost is real, but it's also competitive and full of tradeoffs.
Even as a top athlete, sports alone won't get you in without a well-rounded application
Even a youth olympian team member, Liam didn't get in just because of rowing—he got in because he showed he could succeed beyond it.
Without national level accomplishments, it's essential to show leadership in non-sports activities.
Sports often cost you depth in other areas and the edge dulls fast if you're not a top athlete
Unless you're on track to compete at the highest level, sports could quietly cost you your app. Don't let it happen
The hidden costs of Olympiads and when they're worth the grind
Winning an Olympiad can tip the scales in your favour, especially if you know how to balance it with the rest of your application.
Before you commit years to competition, ask yourself: are you better off investing that time somewhere else?
Some medalists miss the cut every year. See how Trong stood out not just by winning medals but by building a life around his strengths.
Andrew didn't lean on his Olympiad win. He used it to power a bigger story about leadership, direction, and long-term ambition.
Olympiads can boost your profile, but only if they fit your strengths, your goals, and the bigger story you're trying to tell
What separates high-impact work from résumé filler
Done right, research gives you leverage. But without impact, it doesn't even count
Research rewards genuine curiosity. But if you're not in it for the right reasons, it'll quietly drain your time and momentum.
Top research profiles don't just do the work. They publish, win, and prove they're already operating at a national level.
When your efforts lead to tangible outcomes, whether published, awarded, or lived, colleges will notice
It's not just about doing research—it's about creating impact. Don't stick with it if it doesn't align with your goal.
Why music is often a high-effort, low-return strategy
Sometimes yes. But only if you do something exceptional with it — otherwise, it's a high-effort, low-return strategy.
It demands years of practice, tens of thousands of dollars and leaves little room for anything else.
When it comes to music, Ivies admit students who have already made a name for themselves, not those still "on the rise."
The only students who get in with average music profiles have something far more impressive stealing the spotlight.
If you're not going pro, treat music as a passion, not your strategy.
How to make volunteering count when everyone else is doing it too
When everyone has volunteer hours, your generic soup kitchen service won't stand out
Focus on leadership roles, sustained commitment, and measurable impact within established organizations
Before committing hundreds of hours, evaluate whether your time could create bigger impact elsewhere
Turn passion into impact with measurable results
Creating your own initiative shows leadership, innovation, and the ability to identify and solve real problems
Identify a specific problem, create a scalable solution, measure your impact, and build sustainable growth
Avoid vague missions, lack of measurable outcomes, and initiatives that can't show real-world impact
When leadership positions actually matter (and when they don't)
Titles without impact don't impress admissions officers—they can see through empty leadership roles
Focus on measurable outcomes: membership growth, successful events, community impact, or innovative programs you created
Founding a club can show initiative, but only if you can demonstrate sustained growth and real impact over time
Create your own path when traditional ECs don't fit
Create your own opportunities when traditional paths don't align with your interests or when you can show unique innovation
Ensure your self-created activities have external validation through recognition, media coverage, or measurable community impact
Build credibility through third-party verification, media mentions, partnerships, or awards that prove your impact is real
Leverage AI tools to build impressive projects at scale
Use AI tools to amplify your capabilities and create projects that would have been impossible for high schoolers just years ago
Focus on solving real problems with AI rather than just showcasing technical skills—impact matters more than complexity
Be transparent about AI usage while emphasizing your unique contribution, creativity, and the problems you solved
How to get letters that actually move the needle
Generic praise and standard compliments don't differentiate you—learn what makes letters powerful
Strategic relationship building with teachers and mentors who can speak to specific examples of your impact and potential
Provide your recommenders with specific examples, achievements, and context that help them write compelling, detailed letters
Craft compelling essays that win over admission officers. Discover the hidden grading rubric and master the winning frameworks for each prompt.
The outsized role essays play and the secret to writing successful college essays
Before handing in your application, make sure your essay can boost your application
Don't prioritize style over substance—it's a trap, but we have the solution
Understand the first principles of marketing to get admissions officers' buy-in quickly
Learn the proven 5-step framework to write essays that win over admissions officers
Turn your background into a powerful admissions-worthy story with specific problems and real impact
Focus on action—not just adversity, to turn your background into a powerful admissions-worthy story.
Without specificity, a good story can fall short. Be clear about your why, what, and how.
Big-picture reflections without a clear problem or real action make your essay sound smart—but forgettable
Vague stories and philosophical reflections won't cut it. Specific problems and real-world impact win any day.
Why career-aligned interests make stronger personal brands and how to showcase leadership skills
Curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness in your field are traits that show your leadership potential
A clear mission, consistent follow-through, and real-world results help build a stronger narrative
Think you don't have a leadership story to tell? Think again. One sharp, specific story of personal impact can set you apart
Define your interest, show your process, and focus on results—that's all the strongest essays have in common
How not to write about your interests and talent
Clever writing and quirky metaphors do not matter if your essay lacks depth, initiative, and maturity
Why impressive language fails to show real interest, clarity, or personal growth, everything falls flat
If your interest floats without a story, challenge, or result to hold it down, it'll get rejected fast.
It's not about rarity. It's about what you did with it and the impact you had
Show mature problem-solving and growth through meaningful challenges
Adversity is not the star. Your journey is
Immaturity is a big red flag that kills your most important application rating—the personal score.
How relentless optimism and positivity in tough situations demonstrate leadership, resilience, and maturity
The golden framework: How to turn an obstacle into a story of maturity and impact
Lack of impact won't work as a main essay. But showing purpose and momentum can be surprisingly effective as a supplement.
It's not about what happened to you. It's about how far you've come.
Why empathy, dialogue, and curiosity beat being "right" every time
Why Colleges Care About Challenging a Belief - What your response reveals about maturity, mindset, and emotional intelligence
A simple 3-part framework that makes your essay stand out
When a strong story loses points because of tone and framing
Why empathy, dialogue, and curiosity beat being "right"
Why thoughtfulness matters more than just winning
When personal growth is the most compelling outcome
What the best essays all have in common—and how to apply it
Focus on your growth, not just kindness—admission officers want to see transformation
If you can't ground your story in specific, vivid moments, admissions officers won't buy it.
When you cram in too many ideas or shift focus too soon, your strongest moments fall flat
Even the best stories fall apart when you do not commit to one clear message
If your story doesn't spotlight you and your growth, this prompt can quietly tank your app
Show real change with demonstrated action and impact—introspection alone won't get you in
Growth essays without impact read like fluff, and AOs can spot that from a mile away
A solid 4-step framework that makes your essay unforgettable
When a beautifully written essay doesn't land because the growth stays theoretical
Here's an essay that doesn't just show change but proves action, clarity, and impact that Ivy-plus colleges appreciate.
Show real change and demonstrated growth. Anything less won't land.
Turn curiosity into action with initiative, follow-through, and clear direction
Do not spend 650 words geeking out about your favorite topic! Focus on you!
A simple framework for showing growth, action and direction
Connect what you did to what you learned and where you're headed, or else your story won't land
If your essay stops at admiration—with no action or journey—it says nothing about you
If your interest aligns with your journey and direction, your story speaks for itself
Real growth and emotion are great, but without a clear next step, they don't stick.
If your essay doesn't show initiative, follow-through, and results, it won't work. Shiv's essay had all of that and defined what a winning essay looks like.
Your interests mean nothing if you can't show action, growth, and direction—this chapter shows you how to do all three
1. Real data: Insights from 150,000 Harvard applications, not guesswork.
2. First principles: Learn how applications are actually scored.
3. Your unfair advantage: Get frameworks to evaluate what works and build something authentically you.
Not at all.
Your application gets 10-15 minutes of review.
How you tell your story matters just as much, if not more than what you did. We'll help you focus your theme, structure your achievements, and make every word count.It's the perfect time.
You'll learn what truly matters — trading stress for clarity from day 1.
We teach you how the system really works, so you can outsmart the competition and unleash your one-of-a-kind story — no recycled templates allowed.
2-3 hours per week for 3-4 weeks, or blitz through it on a weekend.
No weekly zoom call, or year-long contract.
Send it our way: support@admissionsgametheory.com
Your success is our success.
So we've made it completely risk-free.
According to 150,000+ Harvard applications
Colleges think like VCs—you should too!
The 1-5 scale that decides everything
Top grades get you considered, not selected
You need 1 activity that moves the needle, not 10
Sports could drag you down. Here's what to do instead
Viral essays prioritize style over substance
Stop guessing, start strategizing
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