Admissions Academy Blog

To Thine Own Self Be True

•  Posted by Kathy Chi on December 30th, 2008 in Admissions, Articles of Interest
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Advice on the college bound process abounds, from parents and friends, to teachers and counselors. Yet how much guidance is too much? When does the application process stop representing the student and start becoming a mere representation of that student?

Indeed, colleges have become increasingly sensitive to “packaging”, as they seek to distinguish genuine applicants from those who are overly–and at times, artificially–polished. In many ways, it is an understandable trend. As admissions grows increasingly competitive, there is real anxiety over what it takes to be a strong contender. However, despite how it might seem, the answer is not in racing to take more AP’s, participating in prestigious extracurricular activities, or trying to mimic successful writing.

Rather, the key is to focus on the real individual, pursuing academic subjects that are truly appealing, devoting time to actual interests, and crafting essays that come from the heart. At the end of the day, when colleges talk about searching for “passion”, what they really mean is the obvious demonstration of students’ natural and honest selves.

Does steadfastness and sincerity mean that those applicants will ultimately be accepted? It is impossible to know, as admissions is not such an exact or predictable science. But the chances of standing out from the crowd are greater for those who are unafraid of letting their inner uniqueness shine.

For more insight into the kinds of authenticity that colleges seek, the Wall Street Journal provides advice from actual admissions officers.

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