What’s the Secret to College Admissions? (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)

Behind every application is a story, not just of a student, but of a family navigating fear, expectation, and the myth of the “perfect fit.”

Photo by Helena Lopes

The first time I told a family friend that I used to work in college admissions, they froze like I’d just confessed to working for the CIA. “Wait… so you’ve looked inside the black box?” they asked. I laughed, but the question stuck with me. Yes, I’ve seen inside the black box. And here’s the truth: it’s not a machine; it’s a confer…