It is a well understood fact that admission to top American colleges and universities is becoming increasingly competitive by the year. This quarter will focus on crafting a specific strategy for each student that will place them in the top 5% of all college applicants.

1) Michael will review the elements of a successful application to the Ivy League and other competitive schools. Using proper public speaking form, each student will speak in front of the class and vocalize their strengths and intended strategy. The instructor will review each student's strategy and provide feedback regarding viability. Each student will be tasked with writing a sample personal statement to be submitted in the following class. Students are tasked with formulating a list of colleges and universities they are interested in applying to. Michael will break down each student's list into tiers and formulate an individual application strategy for each student. Michael also explains the importance of the "intended major" designation on the college application and why certain majors should be avoided at all costs.

2) Personal statements will be collected and peer-reviewed. The instructor will collect all statements and provide feedback in the following class. Each student will continue building their competitive profile and how they plan on executing it their Junior year and beyond. Michael will explain everything that must occur by the end of Junior year in order to be competitive. Students are asked to describe what they love doing, as well as what they're good at. The instructor will explain the differences and similarities between these two concepts and why they are important for competitive college admissions. Students are provided sample past application profiles of successful applicants to tier1 schools. Michael explains the concept of quotas that is employed by every college and university in America, and why they understanding them may provide an edge, while greak risks come with ignoring them.

3) The instructor will research specific Sophomor/Junior summer opportunities based on material covered in previous classes that will be highly useful and individualized for each student and provide this information to each student during class. Each student will digest this information and provide feedback to the class as well as the instructor.

4) The instructor will go into detail the importance of the personal statement and formulate a specific strategy for each student to meld their real-life persona with their personal statement. The elements of a successful personal statement will be reviewed in detail. Each students' homework assignment will involve writing a second sample personal statement based on feedback from the first.

5) Personal statements will be peer reviewed. Afterwards, they will be collected by the instructor for additional feedback. Michael will review a finalized application strategy for each student and provide his recommendations for each student specific schools to apply to, and when.

6) Personal statements will be returned back to the students with copious feedback. Michael will explain the importance of winning awards -- specifically which opportunities to target, which ones are highly regarded, and which are worthless. Specific opportunities and timelines will be provided to each student.