Introduction Most Midwest students aren’t rejected because they aren’t smart enough. They are rejected because they blend in. Admissions officers see the same profile thousands of times: high GPA, good ACT/SAT scores, and a standard list of clubs. On paper, these students look perfect. In reality, they look identical. This is where the traditional "summer camp" strategy fails. In 2026, simply listing a prestigious-sounding program on your resume isn't enough. Colleges don't