We try to follow our own advice here at Collegewise. So it’s not surprising that whether we’re presenting ourselves to an audience, to a potential customer, or even to cyberspace on our website, we do what we tell our students to do in their college applications and essays—just be authentic.
Some people disagree with us when we say that college admissions should be enjoyable, that the prestigious colleges don’t have the market cornered on turning out happy and successful students. That’s OK. When we’re honest about who we are and what we believe, the people who disagree with us can find someone else who matches their view of the college admissions world. And the people who believe what we believe know they’ve found the right place to call home.
When you present yourself to colleges in your applications and essays, be authentic. Sound like you. Help them understand who you are and why you’ve chosen to spend your time the way you have in high school. Admissions officers want to get to know the authentic you, not some contrived version of yourself that you hope will impress them.
Your authentic self won’t please all colleges, and that’s OK. One of those schools that says yes will be the right place for you to call home.