Study Abroad Guide: As Indian students increasingly target top US universities, admission experts have noted that the route to Ivy League institutions lies less in collecting certificates and more in sustained, genuine interests, academic rigour, and personal initiative. The advice comes amid rising competition: Harvard and Columbia are expected to receive between 50,000 and 60,000 applications each for the Class of 2031, with historical acceptance rates of around 5 per cent.
Students should build strong study habits, identify academic gaps and choose challenging courses. Schools can provide opportunities to explore academic subjects, sports, music, community service, and other activities without the immediate pressure of college admissions. Experts noted that early exploration gives students time to discover their strengths and pursue interests that may eventually develop into sustained commitments. However, the report stressed that scores remain only one element: grades, course rigour, teacher recommendations, essays and extracurricular depth continue to matter. She identified examples including working at a supermarket, writing for a school newspaper, performing in an orchestra, and caring for younger siblings as experiences that can help admissions officers understand an applicant.
Experts cited in the report said that meaningful preparation often begins in Class 9, though middle school can be used for low-pressure exploration in academics, music, sport and community service. The New York Post reported that in September 2026, Princeton’s dean of admissions, Karen Richardson, said that the university evaluates how applicants spend time both inside and outside the classroom.
Command Education founder and CEO Christopher Rim said parents should not turn middle school into a college-admissions boot camp. “Let your kid really be a kid,” he said, urging families to allow children to explore projects, sports and activities without locking them into one pursuit years in advance. Yale officials said that internal research showed test scores help predict academic performance at the university.
The report highlighted the return of standardised testing requirements at several prominent US universities. For the 2026-27 application cycle, Yale required either SAT or ACT scores, narrowing earlier options that allowed Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate results to meet the requirement.
