How Global Competitions Got These Students Into Harvard, Stanford & MIT (Not Just Luck)

The Hidden Strategy Behind Harvard, Stanford & MIT Admissions

Some people think that college admissions is just luck — that no matter what you do, it all comes down to chance. But the truth is, there is a playbook, and most students never get to see it. I have one strategy here that is going to give you a direct path to your dream college. And that path is… drumroll please… if you win an international competition, your chances of admission improve dramatically. How do I know? Well I have the proof right here.

I’m Tina Chulet, founder of BlueSkies Ivy League Consulting and I have put countless students through this program through live coaching. This channel breaks down what actually gets students into top U.S. universities. If you’re looking for actionable advice—not myths—on elite admissions, you’re in the right place.

Let’s check out the exact profiles of 3 students along with the international competitions they won."

Global Competition Winners Who Got Into Harvard, Stanford & MIT

Student 1

Academics

SAT 1560

GPA 4.6

AP 9 tests with 5s

Ranking 1/31

Awards & Honors

Davidson Fellows for outstanding artistic ability in piano – Highly competitive (~20–25 winners per year across all categories; less than 5%)

Gold Key, Scholastic Writing Award (Short Story) – Approximately 5–7% of regional submissions receive a Gold Key; high artistic merit at the regional level and advance to national recognition.

Other Extracurriculars

Piano – invited to play concerts Author – 5 novels; 9 million views internationally

Between You & I – founded by her; concerts/music (raised USD 10,000 for international disaster aid)

Business Internship – helped small entrepreneurs in Nigeria start businesses.

Student 2

Academics

GPA 4.8/4.0

SAT 1600

7 AP courses with top performance of 5

Awards

Silver Medal at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) – 4th in theory, 24th overall; each country sends only its top 4 students. Silver Medal = top ~30% of elite competitors.

Two-time National Science Bowl Champion – Acceptance rate <1% at national level.

Winner of the Ocean Science Bowl (State level) – Competitive (~10–20% chance of winning).

Research & Leadership

Summer research

Led a USA Biolympiad (USABO) study class Captain of the Science Bowl team Editor of the school’s philosophy magazine Quiz Bowl B-team member

Student 3: MIT & Caltech Admit (Full Scholarship)

Academics

SAT Score: 1590

Class Rank: #1 at a highly competitive school

AP Exams: 5’s on 8 exams

Awards & Honors

HCSSiM Math Program in 9th grade – Highly competitive (~40–50 students selected per year; ~10–15%).

Published paper in PNAS – acceptance rate <10%, exceptional for high schoolers.

US Physics Olympiad Semi-finalist – ~5% selection.

US Chemistry Olympiad Semi-finalist – ~7–8% selection (out of ~13,000 students).Selected for Round 2 in MAA competition series – Moderately competitive.

Others

Conducted research with a Caltech professor Founded Physics Club & Biological Research Club

Why Honors and Awards Matter More Than You Think (And Why Most Students Miss This)

What are the most critical patterns in these success stories? Every student had external validation through honors and awards. Whether it was Olympiad rankings, international competitions, selective research programs, or published papers, recognition from competitive and well-regarded institutions was a crucial part of their application.

With so many applicants boasting top GPAs and test scores, awards help set someone apart by providing concrete proof of their skills and dedication. Awards are easy for admissions officers to understand since they come with clear rankings or selectivity rates, making them a strong way to showcase talent. They also highlight qualities like perseverance and leadership, which top colleges are always looking for.

This is what makes or breaks your chances, especially when it comes to college profile-building strategies for top U.S. universities and figuring out how to get into Ivy League as an international student.

"By the way, if you're still feeling a bit confused or unsure about your next steps in the college admissions process, check out my step-by-step courses – which are linked at the bottom. They’re designed to simplify everything, plus you’ll get access to downloadable resources like lists of over 450 scholarships for international and domestic students."

The Data Behind Harvard Admissions: Proof That Competitions Matter

Well of course first is the personal experience. But I have raw data from Harvard itself. A Supreme Court case a few years back revealed the secret details of Harvard’s admissions process. During the lawsuit, internal admissions data from over 160,000 applicants was revealed, shedding light on how admissions actually works—and how rare it is to stand out.

The Harvard admissions process evaluates candidates across four key dimensions—academic, extracurricular, personal, and athletic. Contrary to the belief that college admissions are a random game, students who are truly exceptional in at least one of these categories—what admissions officers call a “1”—are accepted at 15 times the rate of others.

Achieving a “1” in academics isn’t just about perfect grades and test scores; it often requires recognition beyond the classroom, including prestigious international competitions. Check out the linked video below to learn more about the leaked data: “How To Get Into Harvard: Admissions Secrets Revealed.”

And if you’re applying from outside the U.S., the challenge is even greater. You’re competing in a global pool where U.S. college admissions for international students are more selective than ever before. That’s why recognition at the international level becomes a powerful equalizer.

What You Should Do Next (If You Want a Real Shot at Harvard, Stanford, or MIT)

If you’re serious about top-tier college admissions, you cannot wait until the last minute to start looking for competitions. Winning isn’t instant—it takes years of building skills, facing rejection, and trying again. Many top awards take years of preparation and participation, and their application deadlines often fall nearly a year in advance.

Start early. Identify relevant competitions in your field. Apply widely. Learn from failures and keep improving. The right honors and awards could be the final push that sets your application apart from thousands of other high-achieving students.

Want to get into the details of finding competitions? Check out this video – Not Just Luck: How Global Competitions Got These 3 Students Into Harvard, Stanford & MIT.

If you’re considering study abroad or need guidance on U.S. college admissions for international students, stay tuned for more expert insights! And if you’re still unsure where to start, book a free call so we can go over your profile together.

You can checkout our courses here.