Kollegio Now Roams Among Us - Kollegio Newsletter # 2
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This Month’s Stories:
1. What's New At Kollegio? - 20% of All Waitlisters Have Access Now, Interns have Assembled and we have 1400 New Colleges on the app!
2. Where You Do It, Matters More Than What You Do
3. Academic World Update - Legacy Admissions, Your Hometown Might Influence Your College Admissions and The Role of Extra-Curriculars for University Applications
1. What's New At Kollegio?
Kollegio is Now Hiding Among You!
We have given around 20% of the people on our waitlist access to the Kollegio AI app! There are now people among you that are designing their college applications and essays specifically the way university admission committees are likely to be impressed (according to science!). They look, talk, and walk the same as you and I, they probably even work as hard as you and I but now because they have an AI guiding them, they are more likely to get into college. The worst part is that they probably won’t even tell you about the fact that they just got access to the Kollegio Ai app because who would want to give their secrets to a competitor? Seems unfair, doesn’t it?
We think so too. Refer 5 friends to www.kollegio.ai and have them sign up with you as their reference and you’ll be off the waitlist.
The Kollegio Sparks Interns Have Assembled!
Around 4 weeks ago, we opened up applications for the Kollegio Sparks Internships program. This week, the interns are working with our team to help us further develop our app, assist in social media strategy, and get trained in data analysis to derive insights into the world of AI product development. In next week’s edition of the newsletter, we will look to bring you their insights!
We’ve added 1400 New Colleges to Our Search Option! + There're New Filters!
Here’s a sneak peek of what the page currently looks like on the app for the people off our waitlist
2. Where You Do It, Matters More Than What You Do
To understand why we’re discussing the location in this week’s Kollegio AI newsletter, we need to first look at life as a series of choices. This is different from seeing life as a pre-written movie you are a character in, or seeing your individual life as just an extension of broader social systems like capitalism and nothing else.
Viewing life as a series of choices relies on you believing you can choose your way into a great place (or conversely, a really bad place).
The first step of choosing between two options is thinking of what you prefer between them and then thinking of what you reasonably can get out of what you prefer. Simply, if I was given a choice between apples and oranges, I would first have to think “Do I like apples more, or oranges?” and then think “Can I afford apples or oranges?”
Over here it becomes clear that well-thought-out choices require prioritization. There has to be a willingness to sacrifice oranges instead of apples.
This is why this article is being written. To acknowledge that there will be times in your life where you will have to sacrifice either how good the city you’re in is or how good the work you’re doing is. In those instances, it might be better to choose the city that aligns with the life you want.
Why is this relevant to you if you’re a high school junior/senior, subscribed to the Kollegio newsletter, deciding where to go for college?
Because there are great schools in not-so-great locations that many of you will be looking to enroll in.
This paper by Lockwood et.al already highlights how where you live (or buy residential property) strongly impacts your quality of life. However, this paper by McColum et.al goes a step further and shows us that working (not just residing) in a location that is specifically renowned for your occupation is a key determinant of how well you may be able to do in your field. Notice this: although Toronto might be a great place for general socio-economic mobility (perhaps even better than LA) if you want to make progress specifically in the film industry, Los Angeles might be a much better bet.
You want to study in a school that is in a location that specifically has the tools for your occupation to do well. There’s a reason why Silicon Valley hasn’t shifted out of Northern California despite many governmental and financial incentives by other places like Dubai, New York, or London to attract tech talent.
Smart people want to settle where their fields are already developed, not just where there may be a possibility of work currently.
Keep in mind that what a “good” location is for your field will depend on what you choose as your field specifically or see yourself working in, in the future. However, once you have decided on your specific occupation, know that it may be more important to research the locality and its history than to just google that university’s ranking. This is why we at Kollegio AI allow you to filter based on location, see where universities relevant to your program are clustered and allow you to make the best decision possible. It is always going to be possible that you end up making a good or bad decision due to pure luck (cough: COVID), but you owe it to your future self to at least make all your major decisions well thought-out.
3. Academic World Update
Might the Era of Legacy Admissions Be Coming to an End?
More details from The Regulatory Review.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to end the practice of legacy admissions in universities across the United States. Legacy admissions, which give preference to applicants with familial ties to alumni, have come under scrutiny for perpetuating inequality in higher education.
Several prestigious institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, have already eliminated legacy preferences from their admissions processes. The shift is part of a broader effort to promote diversity and inclusivity within higher education.
Research indicates that legacy admissions primarily benefit wealthy, predominantly white families, contributing to a lack of socioeconomic and racial diversity in elite universities. Advocates for ending legacy preferences argue that merit-based admissions create a more equitable and just system for all applicants.
Despite this growing trend, many universities still maintain legacy preferences. However, as public pressure mounts and more institutions reconsider their admissions policies, the future of legacy admissions remains uncertain. It is an ongoing debate that continues to shape the landscape of higher education.
How Your Hometown Could Affect Your College Prospects
More details from U.S. News.
Where you grow up can significantly influence your college prospects. Students from affluent areas often have access to better educational resources, extracurricular opportunities, and college counseling services, which can enhance their college applications.
On the other hand, students from rural or economically disadvantaged areas might face challenges such as fewer advanced courses, limited extracurricular activities, and less access to college counseling. However, colleges are increasingly recognizing these disparities and are taking steps to level the playing field. Many institutions now consider an applicant's background and the resources available to them when making admissions decisions.
Research suggests that students from underrepresented areas can benefit from holistic admissions processes that look beyond test scores and GPAs. Colleges aim to build diverse student bodies by considering various factors, including socioeconomic background and geographic location.
Role of Extracurriculars in University Admissions
More details from Telangana Today.
Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in U.S. university admissions. Unlike the traditional focus solely on academic performance, the holistic admissions process values a student's involvement in activities outside the classroom. These activities showcase a student's interests, skills, and personal growth.
For undergraduate admissions, universities look for students engaged in diverse activities such as arts, sports, community service, and leadership roles. Authenticity and sustained interest in these activities are key.
Graduate admissions emphasize professional development activities, including internships, projects, and leadership roles, aligning with career goals.
To find out more about specific extra-curriculars your desired college prefers check our app!
