Command Education In the News
Wealthy Jewish families are rejecting the Ivy League for ‘Plan B’ schools
In a significant shift in elite university admissions, wealthy Jewish families are reconsidering their long-held aspirations for their children to attend Ivy League schools like Harvard and Columbia. This change comes in the wake of increasing pro-Palestine rallies and a surge in anti-Israel sentiment across these prestigious campuses. Christopher Rim, a prominent college admissions consultant and founder of Command Education, reports a noticeable trend among high school seniors and their families, who are actively removing Ivy League schools from their application lists.
Rich parents are ditching prep schools for public — to get kids into the Ivy League
New York City families are forking over five-figure tuition to prep schools like Trinity, Dalton and Horace Mann, thinking these private academies are runways to the Ivy League — but one admissions expert says it’s a bad bet.
In fact, according to college admissions consultant Christopher Rim, that same kid would have a four-to-five times greater shot of getting into a top-tier college if they went to a public school.
Harvard Bound: Strategies That Propel Students Past Admissions Hurdles
“I just followed my passions and my interests,” Rim said, attributing his acceptance to his genuine story that struck a chord with the admissions officers. Among 18 applicants from his high school, Rim, who had the lowest grades among them, was the only one accepted into Yale.
Established in 2015, Command Education has become the sought-after service for families aiming for Ivy League admissions. Charging a hefty fee upwards of $1,500 an hour, Rim’s organization aids students from prestigious schools like Horace Mann and Trinity.
The cost of applying to college: ‘Bare minimum,’ expect $1,200 on application fees, says expert
Heightened uncertainty is driving students to cast a wider net, according to Christopher Rim, president and CEO of college consulting firm Command Education.
College Admissions Chaos: What Happens Now?
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to ban racial preference in college admissions has ignited a myriad of emotions and reactions across the nation. The ruling has significantly reshaped the higher education landscape, challenging long-held beliefs, systems, and structures in place since the late 1960s. This shift has intensified debates on how to achieve racial parity in college admissions, forcing institutions, students, and families to navigate a rapidly changing terrain, filled with mixed messages and unprecedented challenges.
Some parents opting for rural life to get kids into Ivy League
Christopher Rim, CEO of Command Education, highlighted the skewed competition in metropolitan areas like New York City, where numerous students from elite private schools compete for the same prestigious colleges. Conversely, in states like Arkansas, not every student is aiming for Ivy League institutions. Rim criticizes the admissions process, noting inherent disparities based on school type, labeling it as “designed to be unfair.”
A college counselor said a parent offered him $1.5 million to deny service to their child’s classmates — highlighting the cut-throat battle for Ivy League admissions
Wealthy parents are spending up to $1 million, hoping to secure Ivy League acceptance for their children. Christopher Rim’s Command Education charges $750,000 for six years of college counseling. Some parents even offer exclusivity deals worth more than the service fee. Despite the high costs, Rim doesn’t promise Ivy League admissions, as acceptance rates, like Harvard’s, drop below 4%. The demand remains high, with Command Education’s client slots frequently selling out.
Desperate NYC parents spending millions, lying, moving across the country to get kids into Ivy League
The college admissions frenzy has escalated, with parents spending up to $1.5 million on elite consultancy and even relocating for better odds. Christopher Rim of Command Education highlights the growing desperation, revealing parents approach him for students as young as second grade. Meanwhile, Ivy League admissions rates plummet, intensifying global competition. Rim criticizes the broken system, even as he navigates its complexities.
The Ultra-Wealthy Are Paying Up to $750,000 for Counseling to Get Their Kids Into Harvard
Command Education offers a $750,000 college consulting service to boost students’ chances at elite U.S. schools. Beyond SAT prep, they provide holistic guidance on extracurriculars and internships. Wealthier families often seek such advantages, with some even making exclusive offers to consultants. Skeptics question the value compared to cheaper services.
Ultra-Rich Buy Ultra-Luxury Counseling to Get Kids Into Harvard
Sooner or later, every parent asks Christopher Rim the same question: What will it take to get my kid into Harvard or Yale?
His answer: $750,000.
That’s Rim’s going rate for advice on landing a coveted spot in the Ivy League for students who want to start college prep in the 7th grade. The price is more than twice what it can cost to actually attend one of those eight elite schools.
One Thing Parents Won’t Cut From Budgets: Extracurricular Activities
The Supreme Court’s June decision outlawing affirmative action could put even more emphasis on extracurricular activities to make a student stand out, said Christopher Rim, chief executive of Command Education, an elite-college consulting firm in New York that advises students on their college applications.
I was told I’d never get into Yale because of Asian American prejudice, but I beat the odds and got in. Now I teach other students how to get into their dream schools.
Against the odds, I was the only student from my high school to receive a coveted acceptance letter from Yale. I now help other Asian Americans get into their dream schools.
College Consultants Make Big Bucks Shaping Applications
“Command Education
not only helps students get into top-tier schools, but helps them build the skills they need to succeed when they are there.”
ChatGPT can get you through college, but there’s one essay it can’t help with—and it has to do with the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling
ChatGPT’s essays “tell” rather than “show,” education consultant Christopher Rim wrote, meaning it spells out the takeaway of the story rather than utilizing literary techniques, like characterization and imagery, to allow readers to glean their own takeaway—the exact opposite of the golden rule for effective narrative writing: “Show, don’t tell.”
Without affirmative action, how should students approach the college applications process?
Still, the general advice for essay topics remains largely unchanged after the Supreme Court ruling, said Christopher Rim, CEO of Command Education, a college admissions consultancy: Students should choose a topic unique to them.
Is an Ivy League degree worth it? Report finds advantages beyond future earnings
Admissions policies are in flux as colleges are rethinking their practices after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Some schools may put more weight on students’ household income and regional background to diversify their student bodies, and they may also reduce reliance on standardized test scores or eliminate SAT and ACT requirements.
College consultants reveal their top tips to gain Ivy League admission
College admissions consultants share their top tips for gaining admission to Ivy League schools. They emphasize the importance of starting early, showcasing a specialized hook or passion, and crafting a compelling personal statement. Consultants advise students to cultivate relationships with teachers and school counselors for strong letters of recommendation.
NYC’s college consultants play wait-and-see with affirmative action ruling
The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious college admissions has left students and college admissions consultants uncertain about its implications. While colleges are still determining their next steps, experts predict that students from underrepresented groups may see acceptance to prestigious institutions as increasingly unobtainable.
