Latest Insights from Mr. Buffer’s Admissions Psychology Blog: A New Powerful Tool for Admissions To Top Schools

This year, a group of major universities–including MIT, Columbia, the University of Chicago, and others–will officially accept a new submission called the Dialogues Portfolio as part of a pilot initiative in their admissions process. As a college planner, I’ll be guiding my students through this exciting new opportunity during the current admissions cycle. If this pilot goes well, I fully expect Dialogues to become a staple of future college applications.

Run by Schoolhouse.world, Dialogues gives students the opportunity to showcase how they interact with others, how they respectfully engage with differing opinions, and how they can contribute meaningfully to a college

As you’ve heard me say many times: colleges are building communities–not just admitting individuals. Many of you who watch my show and follow this blog know that stats only get you in the door at top schools–but “fit” gets you admitted. One of the best ways to demonstrate fit is by showing that you are open-minded, respectful of others’ views, and have a growth mindset with the ability to see the world through multiple lenses.

As someone who regularly helps students express themselves with clarity, empathy, and confidence in college essays and interviews, I see Dialogues as a game-changing addition to the admissions landscape. Why? Because top schools don’t admit students based on who they say they’re going to become–they admit students based on who they already are and have been for the past three years.

And like anything else in admissions, Dialogues serves a key function: it provides real evidence to confirm the positive traits that show up in a student’s recommendation letters–traits like empathy, kindness, civility, and collaboration. In other words, it doesn’t just talk about a student’s character–it shows it.

What Exactly Is Dialogues?

Dialogues is a free program where students from around the world are paired one-on-one over Zoom to discuss major global and ethical topics–ranging from AI to immigration to mental health. Each conversation follows a guided structure and centers around a technique called steel-manning, essentially the opposite of “straw-manning.” Instead of simplifying or mocking the opposing viewpoint, students are asked to present their partner’s opinion in the strongest, most generous light possible.

The result? Rich conversations rooted in empathy, intellectual humility, and critical thinking. And in today’s world, that’s exactly the kind of profile colleges are searching for.

I’ll be coaching my students on how to bring forth their best selves during these Dialogues, helping them communicate clearly, listen deeply, and respond with both insight and grace.

Why This Matters for College Admissions

Admissions officers at elite universities are inundated with applications from students who’ve achieved academic excellence, joined a few clubs, and written polished essays. What they’re really looking for is something deeper: intellectual curiosity, depth of thought, and evidence of character.

Dialogues addresses all three.

Not only does the experience build real communication skills, but students also walk away with a Dialogues Portfolio–a document that tracks the topics they’ve explored and reflects their growth as thinkers and communicators. This portfolio can be submitted as part of the college application to select schools.

In fact, top-tier institutions–including MIT, Columbia, Vanderbilt, and the University of Chicago–are now officially recognizing the Dialogues Portfolio as part of their admissions process.

This is no small development.

It signals that some of the most selective colleges in the country are actively seeking more than just high GPAs and strong test scores. They want students who can engage deeply, listen respectfully, and think across lines of difference.

In a time when meaningful discourse often takes a backseat to social media shouting matches, Dialogues stands out.

As you’ve heard me say many times: when you look at the top academic stats for students admitted to elite schools, most students with those same stats didn’t get in.

That’s because colleges are evaluating more than academics–they’re building communities. And Dialogues gives students a chance to highlight exactly the kind of personal traits that top colleges value: empathy, maturity, open-mindedness, and thoughtful engagement. 

What I’m Telling My Students

I’ve already begun recommending Dialogues to some of my more introspective and globally curious students–especially those looking to strengthen their extracurricular résumé with activities that reflect maturity, nuance, and global awareness.

Recently, a high school junior I work with told me:

“Mr. Buffer, this was the first time I talked to someone from another country about something real–and I realized how much we had in common.”

That kind of insight would impress any admissions officer.

Participating in Dialogues also gives students the kind of language and experience they can draw on in their college essays and interviews. When they reflect on these conversations in their Common App personal statements or supplemental responses–especially questions about diversity, global challenges, or community engagement–they’re not speaking in theory. They’re speaking from lived experience.

A Small Commitment, A Big Impact

One of the best aspects of Dialogues is that it’s low-pressure but high-impact. Students can sign up for a single session or join an ongoing Dialogues Club that meets bi-weekly. Unlike Model UN or debate, Dialogues isn’t about “winning”–it’s about understanding. That shift in mindset–from arguing to connecting–is subtle but powerful, and it’s exactly the kind of emotional intelligence colleges are eager to see.

Too often, high school students without proper guidance spend their time checking boxes: AP classes, honor societies, volunteer hours. But the students who truly rise to the top in college admissions usually have one thing in common: they’ve done something that changed the way they think.
Dialogues can be that experience.

Final Thoughts

As I’ve said before: colleges are building communities, not collecting résumés. Dialogues gives students a chance to prove they’re ready for that kind of community–one built on open minds, thoughtful dialogue, and mutual respect.

It’s rare that I come across a new program I feel this strongly about. Dialogues deserves your attention–not just because it strengthens college applications, but because it helps young people grow into the kind of thinkers, communicators, and citizens our world needs.

If you’re a high school student, parent, or educator reading this, I encourage you to check it out: schoolhouse.world/dialogues

I can’t wait to get started with my students on this, and increase their chances of getting into top schools!

About Mr. Buffer

Mr. Justin M. Buffer is a one-on-one college admissions and medical school success coach who works with students and families around the world. He holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and is a licensed teacher with decades of experience in education. As founder of the Cambridge Learning & College Planning Center of New Jersey, he helps students discover their voice and gain admission to top universities and medical schools across the U.S.