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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
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College applications are completed and mailed, but now the
waiting period to hear the verdict begins.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
College applications are completed and mailed, but now the waiting period to hear the verdict begins. High school seniors can rejoice at the end of describing themselves in 200-word essays and explaining why “blank school” is the only one worth attending. I have taken my faithful readers through the entire painful process – from SAT to AP to ASAP, and now we are coming to the end.
Seniors usually wait until the last possible moment to write the DCE (Dreaded College Essay). These essays are notoriously the most difficult and trying aspect of a college application. This, of course, is understandable since an essay is harder to write than one’s nine-digit social security number. According to the instructions, the essay is a chance for colleges to learn something about the potential student that isn’t apparent in the transcript. This makes sense. After all, how many of us can truly say that a handful of grades and test scores is who we are?
The college essay is not very different from an online dating service. Applicants are asked to describe themselves, their experiences and their most notable characteristics, as well as what they would bring to this possible relationship. You are asked to reveal intimate details about yourself to total strangers by describing an experience that makes them realize what an amazing human being you are and the characteristics that make you a cross between Mother Teresa and Captain America, all while being humble.
Of course, you cannot come right out and say how amazing you are and how perfect you would be for the relationship; it all has to be inferred by this amazing experience that you are going to relate. In essence, students have to say how great they are without saying how great they are.
For instance, I could just tell you that I am a fan of Gilroy and its famous Garlic Festival. You might believe it. You might not. And it’s guaranteed that those at the admissions office won’t. Instead, if I say that I volunteer every year at G-fest (as the kids like to say), and even spent three summers dressed as Herbie the Garlic, the Garlic Festival’s official mascot, one might be more inclined to believe the above assertion.
Keep in mind, that colleges receive thousands of applications every year.
I recently read an article that said that admission decisions are often made in a few minutes versus the hours spent perfecting the application. Just like a date, you need to impress them and do so immediately. The best thing to do is to tell them something they have never heard before. I imagine volunteering for a community event is a pretty well worn subject for many college essays, but let’s say that event revolves around the stinkin’ rose and the volunteering involved wearing a huge mascot suit in a 100-degree weather and acting like the Mickey Mouse of the Garlic Festival. This story may stand out among those of other applicants. Even if the application isn’t the most impressive, the admissions board may be inclined to remember Garlic Boy (or so I am hoping).
Just like in a dating service, potential candidates have to sell themselves. The student is the product as well as the salesman. The trick is to pull this off without sounding boastful and self-absorbed. After all, who would want to date someone who is self-centered and conceited? Not I, for one.
A student could simply list all his redeeming qualities (kind, charitable, loves fellow man, tall, dark, handsome, great hook shot on the basketball court, etc), but the colleges, much like your potential date, want to come to those conclusions themselves and not have them fed to them. In other words, they have to figure out on their own what a perfect match you would be.
My advice for all those juniors eagerly anticipating senior year, is to think about a DCE (see above definition) as an online dating service. Remember your manners (don’t tell them what to think), be a good listener (show them your great characteristics) and never mention another date (another school).
