When ultra-wealthy families approach college admissions, they are not just trying to get their children into top universities. They are carefully crafting journeys that position their children as future leaders. Drusilla Blackman, former Dean of Admissions at both Harvard and Columbia and now founder of Deans of Admissions, has built a reputation among elite families for guiding that transformation.
Blackman is not interested in the transactional nature of admissions. Her expertise lies in helping students discover and develop the traits that set real leaders apart. “The most successful families I work with are focused on legacy,” she explains. “They want their children to lead with purpose, not just credentials.”
From Prestige to Purpose
For many, the college admissions process becomes a race for rankings and brand names. Blackman, however, urges families to think more strategically. “A prestige-driven strategy is about appearances. It is about being seen in the right places and with the right accolades,” she says. “A leadership strategy asks deeper questions. Who is this student becoming? What impact do they want to make?” This shift in perspective is not reserved for billionaires. Blackman believes any family can benefit from looking beyond the surface. “You do not need enormous wealth to guide a student toward authentic leadership,” she adds. “You need intention and the right guidance.”
College as a Platform for Leadership
Blackman views college as a living lab for leadership. It is not about collecting activities but using them to create something of value. “Students should think of college as a launch point,” she says. “It is where they can test ideas, start initiatives, and learn how to lead with real-world stakes.” She points to one student, the daughter of a well-known business family, who used her interest in public health to design a community-based awareness campaign on diabetes. “We helped her move from passive interest to real impact. By the time she was a college sophomore, she was leading a health equity initiative with national visibility.” That student now runs her own nonprofit and speaks at major policy conferences. “The goal was not just to impress an admissions committee,” Blackman says. “The goal was to cultivate a leader from the inside out.”
Traits That Shape a Leader
For Blackman, true leadership begins with three foundational qualities: emotional intelligence, initiative, and resilience. These are the traits she works to foster in students long before they apply to college. “Students who understand themselves and know how to connect authentically with others are rare. That is emotional intelligence,” she explains. Initiative, she says, is the courage to build something that did not exist before. Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and keep growing through setbacks.
These skills are not learned through checklists or summer camps alone. They are built through experiences that challenge and shape students. Blackman often recommends public speaking to improve communication, global travel to develop cultural understanding, and mentorship to deepen perspective. “Leadership is not about being in the spotlight,” she adds. “It is about consistent, meaningful contribution.”
How Elite Families Think Differently
The families who work with Blackman tend to approach education with the same mindset they use to build companies and manage portfolios. They are strategic, forward-thinking, and focused on long-term outcomes. “They see college not as a finish line but as a beginning,” she says. “They are asking how their children can use those years to build something enduring.” What distinguishes these families is not just money, but a willingness to think differently. They invest in coaching, surround their children with mentors, and encourage exploration early. But Blackman emphasizes that these approaches are accessible to many more families than people might assume. “You can begin with one powerful question,” she says. “What kind of leader does your child want to be, and what experiences will help them grow into that role?”
Lessons That Apply to Every Student
For parents wondering how to apply these ideas in their own families, Blackman’s advice is to begin early with purpose, not pressure. Help students explore their interests in depth rather than spreading themselves thin. Encourage them to start something of their own, even if it is small, and make sure their choices are grounded in substance, not just status. The college admissions process can feel overwhelming and even performative, which is why Blackman’s work stands out. She is focused on helping to shape the kind of leaders the world will need tomorrow.
To learn more about Drusilla Blackman and her work at Deans of Admissions, connect with her on LinkedIn.
