ACT My Journey
The highly selective college admissions landscape is more competitive — and more confusing — than ever. With so much conflicting advice from social media, well-meaning friends, and outdated myths, how can families distinguish fact from fiction? If your student is aiming for a highly selective school, what actually makes an applicant stand out?
Join Collegewise and ACT to discover:
✔ The truth behind common myths about the Ivy League highly selective admissions process.
✔ What admissions officers really look for beyond grades and test scores.
✔ How students can develop authentic, standout applications.
✔ The impact of shifting admission rates and how to approach the process with confidence.
If your teen is aiming for competitive universities, it takes more than strong test scores and high GPAs. These schools seek students who make an impact, stand out in meaningful ways, and bring unique perspectives to campus. We’ll break down what actually happens inside highly selective admissions and how your student can prepare.
Led by Collegewise’s expert counselors, this webinar will give you insider insights and practical strategies to help your student craft a compelling application and navigate the admissions process with clarity.
Register now and get the facts about what really matters in highly selective admissions!
Meet the Presenters
Sophie Heller, Collegewise Counselor and Former University Admissions Officer
Sophie Heller brings over 10 years of experience in higher education, admissions, and essay coaching to her work at Collegewise. Since joining the team in 2021, Sophie has helped students craft standout applications and discover colleges that align with their goals, passions, and academic trajectories. Her counseling style is collaborative, patient, and energetic, rooted in the belief that the college process should be a joyful and empowering chapter in a student’s life.
Before Collegewise, Sophie worked in international admissions for American study abroad programs across Spain and Latin America and advised more than 100 U.S. university programs as part of the Association of American University Programs in Spain. She began her career mentoring students at Mount Holyoke College, where she earned her B.A. in English, and went on to complete her M.A. in Spanish at Middlebury College and her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies at Georgetown University.
Sophie’s students have gone on to earn admission to top schools, including UCLA, USC, and the University of Michigan. She is especially passionate about guiding students through the writing process, helping them find their voice and tell stories that are both personal and powerful.
Outside of Collegewise, Sophie teaches Spanish literature and language at Georgetown University and occasionally lectures at George Washington University. A Seattle native, she loves a good PNW hike, picked up salsa dancing while researching in Bogotá, and once taught Spanish to diplomats at the Embassy of Finland—learning just enough Finnish to order coffee and say thank you.

Kaila Brown
Collegewise Counselor
Jared Rivers, Collegewise Counselor and Former Senior Admissions Dean
Jared Rivers brings more than two decades of experience in selective college admissions to his work with Collegewise students. Over the course of his 22-year career, he’s read more than 20,000 applications at four institutions—Cornell University, Brandeis University, Bates College, and the University of Maine—giving him a rare, behind-the-scenes understanding of what it takes to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
At Collegewise, Jared helps students approach the admissions process with strategy, confidence, and a clear sense of fit. His students don’t just apply to college—they make informed, thoughtful decisions about where they’ll thrive. His counseling style is warm, honest, and approachable—more like a trusted older sibling than a taskmaster—yet always backed by serious admissions expertise. Whether he's guiding first-time college applicants or supporting recruited athletes through the nuanced world of athletic admissions, Jared knows how to help students tell their stories in ways that resonate with admissions readers.
Before joining Collegewise, Jared held senior roles in admissions, most recently serving as Senior Associate Dean and Director of Access at Bates College. Across all four institutions, he also led athletic admissions efforts, giving him deep insight into the recruitment process from both the coach and admissions sides.
Outside of Collegewise, Jared stays competitive in a different kind of arena—fantasy football. He’s still chasing the glory of his 2018 championship season, and you can usually find him analyzing waiver wires and crafting the perfect bye-week lineup.

Michael Cohen
Collegewise Counselor
2025 My Journey Event Schedule
February 12: Spring Forward: Strategic Planning for College Success
April 16: Building Skills in Middle School for Success in High School, College, and Beyond
July 8: Highly Selective College Admissions
August 27: College Knowledge Night for Parents of 9th-11th Graders
September 9: College for Students with Learning Differences
September 16: Crafting Your Creative Future: College Admissions for Artists & Performers
September 17: Game Plan for Success: The College Admissions Playbook for Student-Athletes
October 15: College Admissions 101: Your Ultimate College Roadmap to Success

Closed captions are available by hovering over each video and clicking the CC icon in the lower-right corner.

Building Skills for Success in High School, College, and Beyond
Led by Collegewise’s Director of Instruction and former instructor at Temple University, Michael Cohen, and Former Vanderbilt Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Collegewise Counselor, Kaila Brown, this webinar will give you expert insights and practical tips to help your student succeed now and in the future.
Join college admissions counseling experts, Collegewise, and ACT for this must-attend webinar to learn:
- How middle and high school students can develop key academic and life skills.
- The best ways to explore interests and build meaningful experiences.
- How to balance school, extracurriculars, and social life without feeling overwhelmed.
- What changes in college admissions mean for today’s students.

Spring Forward: Strategic Planning for College and Career Success from Junior to Senior Year
In this webinar, Collegewise admission experts share top tips to help you navigate the process. While you may not have everything figured out yet, now is the perfect time to explore potential college majors and career paths that align with your strengths and interests.
In this webinar, you’ll discover:
- The steps to start building your college application profile now.
- Understanding the college application timeline and key deadlines.
- How to explore and narrow down your college major based on your interests.

Finding Your Fit: Researching & Choosing the Right College
In this webinar, Collegewise admission experts share top tips on how to effectively conduct college research and solidify a well-rounded list of schools. We want every student to be thrilled about their options.
College research doesn't have to be so complicated, and with Collegewise expert advice, you'll be all set to approach it with a greater sense of confidence.

College Admissions 101: Keep Calm and Ace Your Application Process
Join us to take a deep dive into what admission officers are really looking for. Our expert speakers will guide you through every step of the college admissions journey, from making the most of high school to researching universities and ultimately crafting successful applications, all while maintaining your sanity.

The Roadmap to Success: Preparing Early for Your Best College Experience
Feeling a whirlwind of emotions as you think about navigating the leap from high school to college? Don’t panic! Preparing for college starts with developing beneficial habits and strategically planning your high school journey. In this webinar, Collegewise admission experts will give you tips to effectively prepare for a fulfilling and successful college experience from day one. Whether you’re a freshman, a senior, or somewhere in between, you should feel confident and equipped to set yourself up for an exceptional college adventure.

Invest in Your Future: Expert Tips on Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Paying for College
Tune in as Collegewise experts share key tips to help you make sense of the confusing and challenging process that is financial aid and paying for college. Discover the key strategies that will unlock the doors to higher education without breaking the bank. From need-based aid to scholarships, Collegewise’s expert panelists will demystify the complex world of financial aid, offering practical tips to help you navigate the application process with confidence.

College Admissions from A to Z: Ace Your Application Process (And Stay Stress Free)
Navigating college admissions can be overwhelming and full of questions, but we’ve got answers! From making the most of your high school experience to researching colleges and ultimately crafting your best application, watch as Collegewise’s expert college application counselors (some of whom are former admission officers) guide you through every step of the college admissions journey - all while keeping you feeling confident and stress-free through the process.
View More from My Journey
My Journey Youtube Playlist
Check out more content from previous My Journey events and get insights from recent graduates and admissions experts about preparing for college and career.