The Five Moments When a Peer Consult Can Change Your Application
Anna had always been the straight-A student, active in clubs, and a competitive athlete. On paper, she looked like an ideal candidate for the Ivy League. But when it came time to write her college essays, she froze. Her mind was filled with what she should say, but nothing felt authentic. The pressure to stand out felt overwhelming, and despite the dozens of advice articles she read, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something crucial.
That’s when she turned to Pathways.
By connecting with Jay, a senior at Stanford who had also been a varsity athlete and had gone through the application process recently, Anna finally found clarity. In their 30-minute session, Jay explained that the essay didn’t need to highlight her accomplishments; it needed to showcase her journey. It was that simple, yet so different from everything she had read or heard before.
In that moment, Anna’s application shifted—no longer was she trying to impress the admissions officers with a list of achievements. Instead, she was telling them a story. And that’s when she knew she had something that could truly set her apart.
1. When You Don’t Know What to Write About in Your Essays
One of the most common moments when a peer consult can make all the difference is when you feel lost trying to craft your essays. This is where many students get stuck—what makes you stand out when everyone seems to have similar accomplishments? How do you create a narrative that’s yours without sounding cliché?
A peer advisor, who has gone through this process recently, can offer that unique perspective. They know what admissions officers actually want to hear about. They can tell you what essays worked for them, where they took risks, and how they honed in on a theme that resonated. More importantly, they’ll help you navigate the fine line between presenting yourself authentically and ensuring your essay isn’t too generic.
2. When You’re Deciding Between Early Decision, Regular Decision, or Rolling Admission
The decision between applying Early Decision (ED), Regular Decision (RD), or through Rolling Admission can be daunting. There’s a lot riding on these deadlines, and you want to ensure you’re making the smartest move for your academic future.
Peer advisors who have been through the process recently have a real-time understanding of how these choices impact your chances at specific schools. Maybe they’ve applied ED to the same college and can share the benefits and drawbacks. They can talk about their experience with each option and the results they got. Sometimes, knowing someone else’s first-hand experience can give you the clarity you need to make that tough decision.
3. When You’re Unsure About Whether to Submit Test Scores
The growing trend of test-optional admissions has left many students in a dilemma. Should you submit your SAT/ACT scores if they’re not stellar, or is it better to leave them out and let your grades and extracurriculars speak for themselves?
A peer advisor who has applied test-optional to the same school can shed light on how admissions officers might view the decision. They can tell you whether submitting your scores made a difference for them and help you weigh the risks of including them versus not. Peer advisors know firsthand how schools evaluate these factors, and their insights can give you a clearer picture of what’s at stake.
4. When You Need to Know What Really Matters for Your Dream School
You’ve researched your dream school for months. You’ve memorized the admissions statistics, read testimonials, and even visited campus (or at least watched a YouTube tour). But there’s still something nagging at you—what really matters when it comes to getting in?
Peer advisors are invaluable in this area. They know the fine details that make a difference: for example, how certain majors or programs have different priorities, how a school might prioritize leadership in specific activities, or how cultural fit can sometimes weigh more heavily than academic perfection. Their advice isn’t theoretical—it’s based on their personal success stories.
For example, a peer advisor may tell you that at NYU, they focused on their passion for social justice in their personal statement. They can share how it was received and what admissions officers specifically look for when selecting candidates for programs like the Tisch School of the Arts or the Stern School of Business. That’s the kind of tailored, insider knowledge that changes everything.
5. When You’re Deciding Whether to Apply to a Reach, Match, or Safety School
Every applicant faces the dilemma of how to balance their college list. Should you apply to more reach schools and cross your fingers? Or play it safe and stick to schools where you’re almost guaranteed admission?
A peer advisor who has been through this exact decision-making process can help you make more informed choices. They can give you a peek behind the curtain—how competitive was the admissions process really at their reach school? What factors made their match schools a good fit, and why did their safety schools end up being perfect options?
By connecting with a peer advisor, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on how others have balanced their own college lists, based on their unique profiles. This can help you approach your decision with more confidence and a clearer understanding of what to expect.
Why Pathways Peer Advisors Are Different
Peer advisors on Pathways are not just people who have been through the process—they are current students at the schools you’re applying to, people who understand exactly what you’re facing because they’ve been through it recently. They have valuable insights that only someone with firsthand experience can provide. They don’t just know the process—they lived it.
And that’s what makes a peer consult so powerful. It’s not about following a one-size-fits-all path—it’s about finding the tailored advice that truly works for you, at the exact right moment in your college application journey.
Whether you’re stuck on your essays, struggling with your list of schools, or just need someone to help you navigate those critical decisions, Pathways peer advisors can give you the insight and support you need to make your application shine.
By sharing specific, actionable examples from peers who have walked the same path, you’ll feel more confident in the choices you’re making. Pathways gives you the tools to take control of your college application process—because sometimes, it’s the small insights that make the biggest difference.