A student bragged on TikTok that he climbed Kilimanjaro, wrote about it in his essay and got into Yale. Another student thought she could use the same ploy. “No way,” says this admissions guru. (Photo: Getty Images)

A student bragged on TikTok that he climbed Kilimanjaro, wrote about it in his essay and got into Yale. Another student thought she could use the same ploy. “No way,” says this admissions guru. Here’s what admissions experts say families should focus on when going through the college application process: (Photo: Getty Images)

77th–79th flight of 2026: Ethiopian @flyethiopian ET866+ET716, and @KMMaltaAirlines KM615, from JRO/HTKJ Kilimanjaro via ADD/HAAB Addis Ababa and FCO/LIRF Rome to MLA/LMML Malta. 🇹🇿✈️🇪🇹✈️🇮🇹✈️🇲🇹

5 am wake > asleep in 3 min > 39 bpm resting heart rate > 4hr 31 min restorative sleep > no wake events > sleep age 30 (19 yr younger) Breath work (5 min) Breakfast: protein, evoo, berries Light in eyes for 30 min as I eat/work IHHT 40 min > 5 min at 19,000 ft (Kilimanjaro summit) > 3 min normal oxygen > 5 rounds Zone 2 > 60 min at 134 bpm Sauna > 20 min at 200°F (93°C) Nap > 30 min Ready for eight hours of deep work. Happy Sunday.