Are You T20 or T5 Material? Here’s How to Know.

You don’t need a high-priced consultant to tell you whether you’re Ivy League material.

You need a mirror.

Or better yet, a rubric.

Every year, the most selective colleges in the world ask teachers to rate their students—not just on grades, but on the intangibles that make someone stand out. The questions are buried in the Common App’s teacher evaluation form. Most students have never seen it. But this form tells you exactly what admissions officers are trying to measure.

The highest tier? “One of the top few I’ve encountered in my career.”

The lowest? “No basis” or “Below average.”

These are the categories:

Academic achievement

Intellectual promise

Quality of writing

Creative thought

Productive discussion

Faculty respect

Disciplined habits

Maturity

Motivation

Leadership

Integrity

Reaction to setbacks

Concern for others

Self-confidence

Initiative

Overall impression

Go down that list and rate yourself—honestly. Better yet, ask your best friend to rate you. Your sibling. Your parents.

If you all happen to agree on “Outstanding” or “Top Few” in more than a few boxes, great. You might be competitive at places like Princeton or Columbia.

The next step is to contact someone like me to work on the statement that will make your application shine.