Latest news with #CommandEducation
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This millennial was rejected from 200 jobs—now he makes millions charging wealthy families six-figures to get their kids into the Ivy Leagues
Like many Gen Zers today, after graduating from college, Christopher Rim was rejected from more than 200 job applications—including at top firms like Goldman Sachs and BCG. But, he says, 'that was the best thing that could have happened to me.' Now, he's making millions disrupting the $3 billion college consultancy industry. How much would you pay to help your child get accepted into Harvard, Stanford, or MIT? $10,000? What about $100,000, or even $750,000? Hundreds of families are paying six-figure price tags to a young millennial named Christopher Rim to get their kids into their top college choices. As the founder and CEO of college admissions consultancy group Command Education, Rim has become a wizard of sorts for how to crack the Ivy League code. Over the last five years, 94% of his clients have been accepted into their top three college choices. And while the $3 billion college consultancy industry may sound like another leg-up the rich have to get their children into schools, Rim says it's about helping students reach their dreams and unlock their potential. After all, on average, only about 5% of pupils who want to go to an Ivy League school actually get in. 'You have one chance. That's it,' the 30-year-old tells Fortune. 'You can't go back to college or apply to these selective universities again.' Unlocking potential is something that hits home in Rim's own story toward success, both in his own journey trying to attend an Ivy League school as well as trying to find his footing as a young graduate. As a public high school student in New Jersey, Rim was told he'd never be cut out for an Ivy League institution. While he admits himself that he wasn't the smartest kid in his class, he had a mission to attend Yale University, and decided to apply even when his guidance counselor pleaded with him to settle for Rutgers University, an in-state public school. Out of the nearly two dozen students from his school who applied to Yale, he was the only one who got in—despite having a lower GPA than the rest. As a student, he kept the ball rolling by charging high schoolers $50 to edit their admissions essays and advising them on how to strengthen their resumes and 'authentically stick out.' After his first two clients got into MIT and Stanford, he realized he might have a gift, and thus Command Education was born in 2015 in his New Haven, Conn., dorm room. However, Rim still wasn't sure it was the key to a post-grad career. Then came the time to apply for jobs. 'I applied to over 200 jobs senior year. All my friends were getting jobs at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, BCG, major corporations. I got none. I got zero,' he says. 'And that was the best thing to have that happen to me.' Instead of letting the rejection defeat him—like what happens to millions of young adults each year—Rim used it as motivation to help others reach their dream college, too. 'Everyone has this potential, and I was able to instill that confidence and belief and motivate them through the process,' Rim says. 'I think that was a major reason as to why my students succeeded, which, of course, led me to succeed with the business.' So far, Command Education has guided over 1,500 students into top-tier schools, with acceptance rates that soar far above the national average—more than seven times higher at places like Harvard, Caltech, and the University of Chicago. And with parents investing close to $100,000 on average for his services, Rim isn't just shaping student futures, he's built a booming business in the process. While he declined to comment on his company's revenue, his average fee and high demand would put that figure in the millions. (Rim also explained that the $750,000 price tag was a one-off example that included working with a student starting in middle school and having unlimited access to services.) With or without professional help, getting into a top institution is no easy feat. In fact, over the last decade, colleges have only gotten more selective in the students they accept. However, it's not because schools have gotten much smaller in size, it's because more students are applying. For Harvard's class of 2028, who just finished their first year of college, over 54,000 applicants battled for just 1,970 seats; an acceptance rate of 3.6%. That's up from about 37,000 applicants competing for 2,080 spots for the class of 2019, an acceptance rate of 5.6%. Even then, not all accepted students ultimately choose to attend that school. At the same time, college is only getting more expensive. Tuition and fees at private universities have increased by about 41%, when adjusted for inflation, according to U.S. News and World Report. And while some colleges have made attempts at softening the burden for many lower-income students—like Harvard making tuition free for families making less than $200,000—attending a top college remains an uphill battle for many students. However, Rim says services like his aren't making the process less equitable, but rather helping young people find their true calling. 'I know I am not helping my student take a spot away from a middle-class student or a lower-income family student,' Rim adds. 'I'm helping other wealthy families and their kids compete against other wealthy families.' And despite some students feeling that their degree wasn't worth the cost, Rim says demand is higher than it's ever been before. But young people are expanding their interests outside of the traditional Ivy Leagues to other top-ranked schools like Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of North Carolina. 'If you want to get a specific job at a bank, consulting firm, or become a doctor or lawyer, your school is going to matter a lot,' he tells Fortune. But at the end of the day, he says it's about finding students' passions and interests. 'I really will never tell a student, join the debate team, join band club, join newspaper club, because we think that's what colleges want. In fact, it's the total opposite,' Rim says. 'Do what you want.' This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This millennial was rejected from 200 jobs—now he makes millions charging wealthy families six-figures to get their kids into the Ivy Leagues
Like many Gen Zers today, after graduating from college, Christopher Rim was rejected from more than 200 job applications—including at top firms like Goldman Sachs and BCG. But, he says, 'that was the best thing that could have happened to me.' Now, he's making millions disrupting the $3 billion college consultancy industry. How much would you pay to help your child get accepted into Harvard, Stanford, or MIT? $10,000? What about $100,000, or even $750,000? Hundreds of families are paying six-figure price tags to a young millennial named Christopher Rim to get their kids into their top college choices. As the founder and CEO of college admissions consultancy group Command Education, Rim has become a wizard of sorts for how to crack the Ivy League code. Over the last five years, 94% of his clients have been accepted into their top three college choices. And while the $3 billion college consultancy industry may sound like another leg-up the rich have to get their children into schools, Rim says it's about helping students reach their dreams and unlock their potential. After all, on average, only about 5% of pupils who want to go to an Ivy League school actually get in. 'You have one chance. That's it,' the 30-year-old tells Fortune. 'You can't go back to college or apply to these selective universities again.' Unlocking potential is something that hits home in Rim's own story toward success, both in his own journey trying to attend an Ivy League school as well as trying to find his footing as a young graduate. As a public high school student in New Jersey, Rim was told he'd never be cut out for an Ivy League institution. While he admits himself that he wasn't the smartest kid in his class, he had a mission to attend Yale University, and decided to apply even when his guidance counselor pleaded with him to settle for Rutgers University, an in-state public school. Out of the nearly two dozen students from his school who applied to Yale, he was the only one who got in—despite having a lower GPA than the rest. As a student, he kept the ball rolling by charging high schoolers $50 to edit their admissions essays and advising them on how to strengthen their resumes and 'authentically stick out.' After his first two clients got into MIT and Stanford, he realized he might have a gift, and thus Command Education was born in 2015 in his New Haven, Conn., dorm room. However, Rim still wasn't sure it was the key to a post-grad career. Then came the time to apply for jobs. 'I applied to over 200 jobs senior year. All my friends were getting jobs at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, BCG, major corporations. I got none. I got zero,' he says. 'And that was the best thing to have that happen to me.' Instead of letting the rejection defeat him—like what happens to millions of young adults each year—Rim used it as motivation to help others reach their dream college, too. 'Everyone has this potential, and I was able to instill that confidence and belief and motivate them through the process,' Rim says. 'I think that was a major reason as to why my students succeeded, which, of course, led me to succeed with the business.' So far, Command Education has guided over 1,500 students into top-tier schools, with acceptance rates that soar far above the national average—more than seven times higher at places like Harvard, Caltech, and the University of Chicago. And with parents investing close to $100,000 on average for his services, Rim isn't just shaping student futures, he's built a booming business in the process. While he declined to comment on his company's revenue, his average fee and high demand would put that figure in the millions. (Rim also explained that the $750,000 price tag was a one-off example that included working with a student starting in middle school and having unlimited access to services.) With or without professional help, getting into a top institution is no easy feat. In fact, over the last decade, colleges have only gotten more selective in the students they accept. However, it's not because schools have gotten much smaller in size, it's because more students are applying. For Harvard's class of 2028, who just finished their first year of college, over 54,000 applicants battled for just 1,970 seats; an acceptance rate of 3.6%. That's up from about 37,000 applicants competing for 2,080 spots for the class of 2019, an acceptance rate of 5.6%. Even then, not all accepted students ultimately choose to attend that school. At the same time, college is only getting more expensive. Tuition and fees at private universities have increased by about 41%, when adjusted for inflation, according to U.S. News and World Report. And while some colleges have made attempts at softening the burden for many lower-income students—like Harvard making tuition free for families making less than $200,000—attending a top college remains an uphill battle for many students. However, Rim says services like his aren't making the process less equitable, but rather helping young people find their true calling. 'I know I am not helping my student take a spot away from a middle-class student or a lower-income family student,' Rim adds. 'I'm helping other wealthy families and their kids compete against other wealthy families.' And despite some students feeling that their degree wasn't worth the cost, Rim says demand is higher than it's ever been before. But young people are expanding their interests outside of the traditional Ivy Leagues to other top-ranked schools like Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of North Carolina. 'If you want to get a specific job at a bank, consulting firm, or become a doctor or lawyer, your school is going to matter a lot,' he tells Fortune. But at the end of the day, he says it's about finding students' passions and interests. 'I really will never tell a student, join the debate team, join band club, join newspaper club, because we think that's what colleges want. In fact, it's the total opposite,' Rim says. 'Do what you want.' This story was originally featured on
CNBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CNBC
Harvard students are 'frantic' after Trump administration blocks international enrollment, college consultant says
Immediately after the Trump administration blocked Harvard University on Thursday from enrolling future international students and retaining currently enrolled foreign students, some members of next year's freshman class started scrambling. "I was on the phone with a parent who was visibly shaken and completely frantic," said Christopher Rim, president and CEO of college consulting firm Command Education. Rim, who works with a large share of international students from abroad, said a few of his clients were accepted into the Class of 2029 and committed to Harvard on May 1, also known as National College Decision Day, which was just three weeks ago. Now, they don't know what to do. "This is a major moment in these students' lives," Rim said. "Given the circumstances and policies and laws that we have right now, we are advising these families to look into taking a gap year — hopefully by then, the Trump administration and Harvard can come to an agreement." On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security terminated Harvard's student and exchange visitor program certification, therefore blocking foreign students from enrolling and forcing existing foreign students to transfer or lose their legal status. Harvard sued the Trump administration on Friday, asking a federal judge to reverse the ban on international students. International students accounted for 27% of Harvard's total enrollment in the 2024-25 academic year. That's up from 20% during 2006-07. More from Personal Finance:Wage garnishment for defaulted student loans to beginWhat loan forgiveness opportunities remain under TrumpIs college still worth it? It is for most, but not all The latest move came amid an escalating standoff between the government and the Ivy League school after Harvard refused to meet a set of demands issued by the Trump administration's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement Thursday. In a statement on Friday, Harvard called Thursday's action "unlawful and unwarranted." "It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams," Harvard said. "It's a shock," said Hafeez Lakhani, founder and president of Lakhani Coaching in New York. "At a time when international applications — and international yield — are under pressure, this sends a signal to the rest of the world that not only is Harvard closed to the international best and brightest, but that the U.S. is not a welcome place for international students," Lakhani said. International enrollment is an important source of revenue for schools, which is why colleges tend to rely on a contingent of foreign students, who typically pay full tuition. Altogether, international student enrollment contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023-24, according to a report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. During that academic year, there were more than 1.1 million international undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S., mostly from India and China, making up slightly less than 6% of the total U.S. higher education population, according to the latest Open Doors data, released by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education. In the 2023-24 academic year, the U.S. hosted a record number of students from abroad, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. The Trump administration's move puts Harvard international students in a "limbo state," said Mark Kantrowitz, a higher education expert. His advice to admitted or enrolled international students: Start exploring your options but don't make any sudden moves until you hear from the university. "Harvard is going to be scrambling to deal with this, and they will issue guidance to admitted students and the enrolled students," Kantrowitz said. In its statement, Harvard called international students and scholars "vital members of our community." "We will support you as we do our utmost to ensure that Harvard remains open to the world," it said. Kantrowitz doesn't expect the Trump administration to prevail in Harvard's lawsuit, though of course it's a possibility, he said. Transferring to another U.S. school may have its own risks. "I've heard from [Harvard] students who are seeking to transfer," Kantrowitz said. "But that might be jumping from the frying pan into fire. These other colleges could be targeted soon enough." It may also be difficult for Harvard's incoming freshman class to transfer to another university, Kantrowitz said. Many institutions may already be at full enrollment for the coming academic year, he said. There are currently more than 300 U.S. schools still accepting applications for prospective first-year and transfer students for the upcoming fall term, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Harvard students who require financial aid may have a tougher time transferring, depending on the university, compared to those who don't need assistance, Kantrowitz said. That's because many schools use "need sensitive" or "need aware" admissions for international students, Kantrowitz said. That means they consider the student's financial need when choosing whether to accept the student. Already, some of Lakhani's college-bound clients have started considering schools outside the U.S., fueled by fear about rapid policy changes, he said. Indeed, some schools overseas are trying to woo Harvard's international students in light of the Trump administration's recent maneuver. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, for example, issued an "open invitation" to Harvard students on Friday to continue their education there, to "pursue their educational goals without disruption." "This sends a clear signal for the best and brightest to look elsewhere — including other countries — to thrive intellectually," Lakhani said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
COMMAND EDUCATION'S BESPOKE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS MENTORSHIP EARNS 94% ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Command Education Empowers Students Worldwide to Navigate the Path to Ivy League Success with Personalized Mentorship and Global Expertise NEW YORK, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Command Education, the premier college admissions consultancy founded by Yale graduate Christopher Rim, is transforming how ambitious students, especially those from international and highly competitive private school communities, gain admission to the world's top universities. For the fifth consecutive year, 94% of Command's students were accepted to one of their top three college choices, including Ivy League schools. Command Education's unmatched success stems from its deeply personalized, concierge-level approach. Unlike mass-market admissions services, Command Education intentionally only works with a limited number of families each year, and in Korea, restricts its services to only a select few families per graduating class. This ensures that each student receives dedicated attention, strategic insight and individualized support. Command Education's team of experts has successfully mentored students from top Korean institutions – including Seoul International School, Korea International School and Daewon Foreign Language High School – who have gone on to earn acceptance at Ivy League and other top-tier universities such as Harvard, Stanford and Princeton. "At Command Education, we believe every student has a unique story. Our role is to help them uncover that story, shape it with purpose, and present it in a way that's authentic and powerful," said Christopher Rim, founder and CEO of Command Education. "Our process is deeply personal and completely student-driven. Mentors work around the clock to provide support that's as individualized as the students themselves." Combining white-glove service with unparalleled expertise, Command Education offers a truly bespoke mentorship model designed to help students discover their true passions and craft standout applications for the most competitive top-tier colleges. Working with students as early as 7th grade, Command Education delivers highly personalized, around-the-clock support through a global team of elite mentors, each a recent graduate of top-tier universities like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. Trusted by families around the world, Command provides a concierge-level experience, with some clients investing over $500,000 to secure the firm's unmatched guidance and attention. For international families, Command Education offers an unmatched level of expertise, global perspective and admissions insight. In Korea, where competition among top students is especially intense, families trust Command Education and its strategic guidance. From mastering the nuances of the American admissions process to building standout extracurricular profiles and compelling personal essays, the firm's tailored mentorship has helped students across Korea gain admission to Ivy League and other top-tier universities year after year. "For an international student like myself, the personal essay and its significance in the admissions process were a vague and difficult task for me to master," said Jimmy O., a client of Command Education. "[My mentor] helped me understand what colleges were looking for in an essay and helped me learn how to convey my personal voice to admissions. He helped me earn acceptance to Stanford; I couldn't be more grateful for his help." From year-round mentorship and strategic college planning to intensive summer essay programs, Command Education is committed to helping students not only gain admission to the most selective universities but also thrive once they get there. ABOUT COMMAND EDUCATIONCommand Education is a premier college admissions consultancy that takes a personalized, student-centered approach to help students gain acceptance to top-tier universities. Through a near-peer mentorship-driven model, the Command Education team provides expert guidance that goes beyond traditional test prep, fostering each student's unique passions and strengths. Founded in 2015 by Yale alum Christopher Rim, Command Education helps students nurture their passions and transform them into a foundation for lifelong success, ensuring they not only gain admission to top schools but also thrive once they're there. To learn more, visit Logo - View original content: SOURCE Command Education
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Badminton deserves more than a shrug from colleges
This article is one of the winning submissions from the New York Post Scholars Contest, presented by Command Education. I've spent the past year waking up at 6 a.m. to practice badminton swings in my backyard before school. Throughout the days, I've blasted YouTube tutorials on footwork and begged friends to rally with me in the junior atrium outside the gym. This was all done between homework assignments, meals, and sleep. Badminton meant everything to me—until my counselor circled the mention of the sport (I'd listed it as an interest on a survey) and wrote, 'Maybe pivot to a more 'serious' extracurricular?' Advertisement His words stung worse than any missed smash. Here's the truth: Badminton is serious. But American colleges, clinging to a dusty playbook that values football stadiums over cultural relevance, seem unwilling to see it, despite the fact that Badminton is a sport embraced by 220 million globally. 3 Aiden Tsang is advocating for Badminton to be taken more seriously in colleges and universities Badminton is a sport that is deeply woven into my culture, as it's a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is widely considered traditional in China for recreational activity and family gatherings. Advertisement In my culture, it is often seen as a symbol of national pride due to the high level of competition and success Asian players achieve in the sport. The Rigid System that Fails Passion I know about rigid systems. Last fall, I dropped American Lit not because I hated Walt Whitman's poems, but because my teacher graded like a robot, confined to strict rubrics and his own interpretation of the text. Anything that didn't fit his format or his opinion on the texts we read in class received a mediocre grade. This thinking is not unlike billion-dollar TV deals for big sports. For those in the know, badminton doesn't need ESPN highlights. It's long been in the world's second-most popular participatory sport, with 220 million players globally. Yet in the U.S., it's treated like a garage-sale Ping-Pong set—something to dust off for PE class, and when not needed, it's put out near the mailbox with a sign 'free'. Advertisement 3 'Badminton is a sport that is deeply woven into my culture, as it's a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is widely considered traditional in China for recreational activity and family gatherings,' Tsang writes. This mindset hurts for someone like me who spends hours in practice, not unlike varsity-track athletes. Particularly, when you consider the payoff: no scouts, no scholarships, and no recognition on applications. Many colleges claim in their brochures that they want 'grit' and 'dedication.' So why does my hustle—juggling AP classes, finding time after school to practice footwork in my small apartment, and traveling an hour each way every other day to meet with my coach—get filed under 'hobby'? The Cultural Brush-Off Advertisement The impact of this mindset is huge. Walk into any badminton tournament in California, and you'll see a sea of Asian-American faces. The sport is woven into our communities, a tradition as well-known as lunar New Year red envelopes. My Chinese grandfather played in college…in China. Here? The NCAA offers zero Division I badminton programs. So when colleges post AAPi Heritage Month graphics while ignoring a sport central to my heritage, it's not just hypocritical—it's erasure. We're told to celebrate our culture, but only in ways that provide good marketing for their brochures. It's not surprising that my good friend and teammate quit last year. 'What's the point,' she asked me, 'if colleges think our passion is a joke?' The Myth of 'Revenue or Bust' Let's address the elephant in the room. Badminton doesn't make money. Neither do 43% of NCAA football programs, but they're still funded. Why? Tradition? Alumni nostalgia? Meanwhile, Gen Z is out here making badminton TikTok edits with millions of views. Proof that interest exists. And the reason for colleges to look ahead, not just behind. And don't get me started on the 'life sport' argument. Colleges love touting 'active lifestyles,' yet ignore a game people will play into their 80s. My knees will give out from badminton around the same time a football player's brain starts forgetting their kids' names. A Path Forward (that Doesn't Require a Stadium) I'm not asking for a $10 million arena, but communities and colleges can start small. Here's how. Advertisement Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters First, sanction badminton: Make badminton an NCAA sport so tournaments matter and allow people to be recruited, the same way track and field athletes or basketball players are followed. Next, credit the sport. Let PE classes count toward credits if students compete. Finally, expand the game. Why stop at Badminton? It isn't the only under-represented sport in the US. The NCAA organization needs to start doing more research and include sports like table tennis as well. Advertisement 3 Tsang continues to write, saying, 'If universities truly value grit, they'd start recognizing the dedication behind underrated sports like badminton.' Getty Images Badminton is more than a hobby—it's a test of discipline, a cultural anchor, and a sport colleges refuse to take seriously. My early morning practices and hour-long commutes to training aren't just 'dedication', they're proof that admissions committees see our passion as trivial. Colleges plaster 'Celebrate AAPI Heritage' on brochures while sidelining a sport central to Asian communities. If universities truly value grit, they'd start recognizing the dedication behind underrated sports like badminton. Sanction it. Credit it. Until then, their promises of 'diversity' are just empty words. An 11th-grader at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, Aiden Tsang intends to pursue a career in the medical field.
