Interview with an Expert: Joie Jager-Hyman

Our August issue of “Interview with an Expert” features Dr. Joie Jager-Hyman. She is an internationally acclaimed expert on the college admissions process and the Founder of College Prep 360, a boutique educational advising firm with an unrivaled track record of success.

As an expert on college admissions and acclaimed author, Joie has appeared on the CBS Early Show, Fox News, NPR and dozens of other media outlets. She has contributed to numerous publications on college admissions topics, including Forbes and New York, has written research articles for academic journals and prominent policy reports and has even testified at a Congressional Hearing on baccalaureate degree attainment.

A graduate of Dartmouth College, Joie served as Assistant Director of Admissions for her alma mater, where she read and evaluated thousands of applications. She then completed a doctorate in education policy at Harvard University, concentrating her research on the transition from high school to college, and recently collaborated with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence on a curriculum on college admissions and transitions. She is also an active philanthropist who serves on the Boards of UAspire, a nonprofit that promotes college affordability for thousands of low-income students, and Syrian Youth Empowerment, an NGO that supports high achieving students in Syria in gaining acceptance to American universities.

How did you get into the college admissions field? What made you decide to found your own business?

After graduating from Dartmouth College, I took a position in the admissions office because I thought it would be interesting to understand what Dartmouth was looking for when assembling a class. I absolutely loved traveling to different parts of the country and meeting high school students from across the globe. However, I also saw huge disparities in access to good college planning information and wanted to do something to help high school students and their families.

I then enrolled at Harvard for my doctorate in education, where I studied the transition from high school to college. While there, I worked as a college adviser for various companies and even wrote my first book on the college admissions process. By the time I completed my doctorate, I realized that my passion was in this field rather than educational research. I truly enjoy helping students understand what makes them unique, nurture their talents, and ultimately have the exhilarating experience of getting into the college of their dreams.

How has the college application landscape changed since you started? Any advice about coping with the constant changes now?

There have been many changes in the nearly two decades in which I have worked in college advising, but one thing is constant: it is harder than ever to get into a top college. Although the selectivity keeps increasing, colleges have remained fairly consistent in terms of what they look for in an applicant. Colleges want students who can articulate their potential contributions to a campus community and the world at large.

This is where College Prep 360 really stands out: we help students identify their interests and passions and then help them put together a thoughtful plan that demonstrates both intellectual vitality and community impact. Because we are founded by educators, we are laser focused on infusing an otherwise stressful experience with purpose and meaning. Our sweet spot is finding those win-win opportunities that both promote self discovery and enhance an application. We don’t treat this process as simply a means to an end. Our students get into their first-choice colleges because we help them become their best selves in a genuine way that shines through in their applications.

What do you find most exciting about admissions right now?

We love being creative and helping our students do the same. Nothing is more exciting than brainstorming with students about how they can make a difference in their communities--and it is amazing how many of them end up thanking us even before they get into college, as they begin to see the results of their strategic efforts. We help students find things they are passionate about and then give them the structure and support they need to literally change the world. In the process, they become the first round draft picks that the colleges want.

Tell us your most inspirational story from your career.

We are extremely committed to pro bono work and have partnered with several non profit organizations. One of these, Syrian Youth Empowerment, supports talented students in Syria who wish to apply to US colleges. Not only have these students grown up in a war zone, but they are often demonized, labeled as dangerous terrorists, and were even banned from entering this country after Trump was elected. Working with SYE is profoundly rewarding because we are able to help incredibly deserving students go to colleges like Harvard, MIT and Stanford–and start new lives full of opportunity in the process. It is beyond inspirational to play a small part in their journeys, knowing that in this case, where they go to college really will change the trajectory of their lives.

What’s a message you would like to send out to parents, students, and teachers who are reading this right now?

The college application process does not have to be about “gaming the system” or--just as demoralizing--feeling like you don’t have options. With smart planning and motivation, your high school years can be tremendously rewarding. We encourage students to think about important questions like: What are you passionate about learning? How can you make an impact in your community? How can you be resilient in the face of obstacles? How do you define success on your own terms?

We don’t look at students and say: “This is where the data (i.e. your grades and scores) suggest you should go to college.” We ask: “Where do you want to go and how can we help you make this happen?” That doesn’t mean that academics don’t matter; it does mean that with the right support and creative vision, motivated students can feel in control of this process, rather than the other way around. It is possible to infuse meaning in college planning and to find purpose in the journey. In doing so, you will become the ideal applicant--the kind that college admissions officers are eager to welcome to their campuses.

My best advice is: tune out the noise. Focus on setting authentic goals, troubleshooting when things don’t go according to plan, and reminding yourself that you are the one who determines your own self worth. If you do this, then the sky is truly the limit!

Thanks so much to Joie for providing us with such valuable advice on navigating the college admissions process. If you’re interested in working with College Prep 360, you can reach out here.

To learn more about Pacific Preparatory, request a consultation here and we’ll be in touch.