Finding Your Fit: Admissions Unlocked
- Nathaniel Hsieh
- Mar 26, 2015
- 3 min read
Despite how shrouded in mystery it often seems, college admissions is really quite simple. The goal is singular: finding the right fit.
Now before you write me off as parroting the rhetoric already spewed by countless admission officers, hear me out. College admission officers want to get to know you as a person. They know the ins and outs of their school and are genuinely invested in finding students who not only "fit" with the school's culture but also are going to buy into the school's distinct mission.
It's a common misconception that all elite schools are created equal. Many applicants take a "firehose approach" to college admissions spraying applications to nearly every school on the US News and World Report top university list, and, often, these applicants are met with disappointing results. If the only reason you're applying to a school is because it's "prestigious" that will come through in your application and will most likely not prove enough to merit admission.
"If the only reason you're applying to a school is because it's "prestigious" that will come through in your application and will most likely not prove enough to merit admission."
Perhaps the greatest misconception regarding college admissions is that an applicant is nothing more than a combination of grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. Undoubtedly those things matter, but they are far from sufficient when it comes to competitive admissions processes. Schools are looking to admit people- interesting , dynamic, and authentic- not just flat profiles.
Admissions officers want to get to know who you are not just what you've done. This is what makes the personal statement so crucial; it gives the admissions committee reviewing your application a glimpse into how you think, how you see the world, and what truly makes you tick. Personal statements that focus solely on what an applicant has done often fall short as they fail to tap into the depths of what makes one an interesting and engaged person not simply an accomplished student. Nothing is a bigger turn-off to admissions committees than generic, "let-me-give-you-what-I-think-you-want-to-hear" essays. Thoughtful authenticity will always outshine shallow gimmicks and will lend weight to your application that may push your application into the coveted "admit" pile.
To summarize:
-Do your research and only apply to schools you genuinely believe would be a good fit
-Allow those reasons to come through clearly in all parts of your application
-Take time to craft thoughtful essays that capture the depths of who you are as a person not just what you've accomplished as a student
-Be able to answer "yes" to these questions: Does everything in my application "tie together"? Do I "jump off the page"? Will the admission officer reading my application walk away feeling like s/he knows me?
Lastly, above all else, be authentic. This may sound supremely cliché, but, remember, college admissions is all about finding the right fit and you want to be at a school that wants you for who you are. You'll be miserable otherwise. An admission is an art not a science so do your absolute best and then trust that things will work out the way that they should. They always do. Happy applying!
Nathaniel grew up in South Pasedena, in Los Angeles, California. He spent a lot of time stressing over college admissions but was ultimately accepted into a number of schools including Yale University. He opted to accept a full-ride to the University of Southern California where he is currently a senior majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law with minors in Songwriting, Gerontology, and Occupational Science. Nathaniel was recently accepted into a number of law schools and will continue his education at Stanford Law School in the fall. When Nathaniel is not studying and preparing to take over the world, he enjoys being involved with international research and service projects, surfing, being (over) involved on campus, and having good conversations.
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