Located right next to Music Row in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private research university known for excellent academics, strong culture, and powerhouse sports teams. It was founded just after the Civil War thanks to a hefty donation from railroad magnate and Anderson Cooper ancestor Cornelius Vanderbilt. Today, Vandy is especially well-known for their programs in business and law, and they’ve gotten very selective in recent years. In 2024, the regular decision acceptance rate dropped to just 3.7%, while early decision sat at 15.2%

The University of Chicago, located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, is one of the most intellectually rigorous and academically respected universities in the country. It’s one of the most popular colleges amongst our clients, and if you’re a UChicago kid, you know it’s the only place for you. Known for its Core Curriculum, culture of inquiry, and a student body that loves to debate just about anything, UChicago isn’t for the faint of heart. And with an acceptance rate hovering around 5%, it’s also one of the most selective schools in the nation. But if you’re here, you probably already know that, because one (or both!) of your parents went to UChicago, and now you’re hoping to follow their path.

Notre Dame is a top private research university with an outstanding track record of launching students into successful careers. The university, located in Notre Dame, Indiana, is rooted in its Catholic origins. This faith is central to the identity and culture of the university, and students of all faiths are drawn to Notre Dame from around the world thanks to the combination of academic rigor and high expectations for personal development. Students at Notre Dame make a difference, whether in the classroom, volunteering in the community on the weekends, or creating opportunities for others to find success and growth. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was a record low of 11.1%. 

The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is a public research university in Austin, TX. It’s got one of the best undergrad business schools, and because of its proximity to a growing tech scene, a pretty good comp sci program, too. UT is highly ranked in tons of majors, and students who are drawn to UT love the culture, the vibe, and the location. If you’re here, we bet your parents went to UT, and you want to head to Austin too.

Princeton is an exceptional Ivy League university located in Princeton, New Jersey. The university is especially known for economics, computer science, and psychology, and is one of the world’s leading research universities. The university has been home to dozens of Nobel laureates, over a dozen winners of the National Medal of Science, among other prestigious awards. Undergraduate students benefit from living, growing, and learning within this outstanding community. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 4.6%.  

NYU is a highly-respected university in the heart of an iconic city. Located in downtown Manhattan, NYU is truly in the middle of the action. This has led to the university gaining a reputation as a place where people go to make things happen now. Students at NYU, whether studying music production, economics, art, or entrepreneurship, are doing what they are passionate about. NYU students are not waiting for graduation day to start a career, they begin alongside their academic studies. NYU students regularly build careers, start companies, and break through as artists while at the university.

Having excellent grades isn’t enough to get into an elite schools as a STEM major. Majors in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields are often among the most competitive. If you dream of attending a top college, great grades and scores are just the first steps. You also need to have amazing extracurriculars. It’s never too early to start building a stand-out extracurricular resume. But how? Don’t worry; we are here to break it down for you.