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WEBINAR REPLAY

Watch the Replay: Common App Reset — Breaking Down Each Section

A Section-by-Section Walkthrough with Ivy+ Admissions Officers

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In this session, Former Ivy+ Admissions Officers Thomas Caleel (Former Director of MBA Admissions at The Wharton School, UPenn; Founder of Admittedly ) and Sonam Aidasani (Director of Programs and Strategy; Former Senior Admissions Officer, Duke University; B.A., Duke University; M.B.A., Rice University) break down every major section of the Common App — from the activities list and honors section to the additional information field and essay alignment — so rising seniors understand exactly how admissions officers read the file and what a strategic, cohesive application actually looks like.

This replay is intended to help students and families move from a reactive, last-minute approach to a clear, intentional strategy — one that positions every section of the Common App to tell a unified, compelling story before the August 1st cycle opens.

Key Moments

✓ How Admissions Officers Actually Read the Common App — what triggers a closer look, and what causes an application to lose momentum before the essay is even read.
✓ The Activities List: Your Most Underutilized Strategic Asset — how to prioritize, sequence, and describe activities so they reflect genuine depth and identity, not just a résumé dump.
✓ Honors, Coursework, and the Sections Students Rush Through — how AOs interpret course selection, how to represent honors accurately, and what the Additional Information section is actually designed for.
✓ Essay Alignment: Making Sure Your Entire Application Tells One Story — how to audit your Common App for narrative coherence and leave with a practical self-review checklist before you hit submit.

Ready to Take Action?

Insight is useful only if it changes the plan. If the replay helped you see that your Common App needs more strategic intention — whether around the activities list, the additional information section, or making sure your essay and application tell the same story — the next step is to determine whether Admittedly is the right fit for your student.

BOOK A STRATEGY CALL

Build a stronger application
before the cycle begins.

Admittedly works with students and families who want strategic, thoughtful support through the college admissions process. If your student is a rising senior and you want a personalized approach to the Common App that reflects their genuine strengths and story, we encourage you to apply for a call so our team can learn more about your goals, timeline, and fit.