AtomicMind, a boutique education consulting firm, announced remarkable early round outcomes for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, with 100% acceptance rates at Harvard University, the University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt University. These results reflect the firm's commitment to helping students develop academically, creatively, and personally through a deeply personalized, long-term approach. The firm achieved 100% acceptance to Harvard University through restrictive early action, 100% acceptance to the University of Chicago through early decision, and 100% acceptance to Vanderbilt University through early decision. Additionally, 90% of AtomicMind students were accepted to Columbia University through early decision. Across all application rounds, 99% of AtomicMind students are admitted to one of their top three choice schools, demonstrating the effectiveness of aligning each student's interests, skills, and goals with institutions they aspire to attend.
"We're a mission-driven organization. Our mission has always been to help students develop into curious, capable, and confident scholar-leaders," said Leelila Strogov, Founder and CEO of AtomicMind and the AtomicMind Foundation. "When students are encouraged to challenge themselves to do hard things in meaningful ways, college admissions results naturally follow." The firm's approach focuses on helping students identify and cultivate their strengths, explore meaningful academic and extracurricular pursuits, and craft their narratives in ways that are interesting, authentic, and original. AtomicMind students receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced advisors and access to a team of more than 250 specialists, including former admissions officers, research mentors, published authors, academic competition medalists, and creative professionals.
Through original research, entrepreneurial ventures, creative portfolios, and social impact initiatives, every element of a student's profile supports authentic development rather than just checking boxes. "Our students don't just achieve outcomes; they flourish along the way," said Ernie Liang, President of AtomicMind. "We guide them to think critically and independently, take intellectual risks, and pursue meaningful projects with enduring impact." The firm serves students and families navigating selective secondary schools, colleges, and universities in the United States and the United Kingdom, providing comprehensive support from elementary school through college and career launch. The AtomicMind Foundation offers pro bono mentorship to high-achieving high school juniors and seniors from low-income backgrounds in the U.S., helping them access elite colleges and scholarships. More information about the firm's services can be found at https://www.atomicmind.com and about their foundation at https://www.atomicmindfoundation.org.
With strong early round results across Ivy League and Ivy-adjacent institutions, AtomicMind looks ahead to the remainder of the 2025–2026 admissions cycle with momentum and purpose. The skills and poise students develop as part of the process are what set them apart in the admissions process, according to the firm's leadership. These outcomes matter because they challenge conventional wisdom about college admissions, suggesting that when educational consulting focuses on authentic student development rather than formulaic application strategies, exceptional results follow. The implications extend beyond individual acceptances to potentially reshaping how families approach the college preparation process, emphasizing long-term growth over short-term tactics. The firm's success with diverse institutions indicates that their methodology addresses fundamental qualities that selective universities value across different institutional cultures and priorities.
