College admissions can feel equal parts exciting, confusing, and overwhelming—especially when families are trying to understand what selective colleges are really looking for.

On July 16, Empowerly College Counseling is bringing parents together in Philadelphia for an intimate dinner and candid conversation with a former Ivy League admissions officer. The evening will go beyond generic advice to explore how applications are actually evaluated, where families often get stuck, and how students can approach the process with greater confidence and intention.

Hosted in part by Micki McMillan, a local parent and Empowerly team member who also chose an Empowerly counselor for her own student, the event will offer both professional insight and a real parent perspective. Over dinner, Daniel Mark, a former admissions officer at Brown University, will give an honest look at how selective colleges actually evaluate applications, and answer your questions directly. Partway through, you’ll work through a real-style applicant file yourself, then hear how a former admissions officer reads the same one.

With attendance limited to 25 parents, the evening is designed to feel personal, relaxed, and highly interactive—with plenty of time for questions, conversation, and practical takeaways.