A piece in which I say YES YOU CAN and tell you a story about my sour relationship with math. Will My Weaknesses Work Against Me in My College Essay? I had a parent reach out and ask if their kid was hurting their chances in their college essay by writing so articulately about their weaknesses. The answer is: no. Not if other ingredients are there. To be articulate about your weaknesses, to reckon with them honestly and without self-pity, to show transformation in your character (as this student did), these themselves are strengths. (And also commendable qualities in grown-up people: I know many who still can’t do this without elaborate defenses, and yelping ego). To also write well in the process, and think methodically? Well, these are prized traits in college admissions essays. So I want to take a minute to experiment with writing about one of my weaknesses--starts with an M, ends with an H, and has AT in the middle. 4 letters. Guess it yet? Continue Reading …
authenticity
Let’s Not be Hypocrites about Learning Process vs Outcome
Decision Day marks the end point of the college application process, when high school seniors let colleges know where they are heading. It's not uncomplicated, though. This moment is the outcome and fruit of so much striving, and an event on which we've pinned a heck of a lot of hope. "Miss, I just want to hide in a corner," one student told me. And he was happy, proud, about where he was admitted. A flurry of articles are published around now about how to help seniors get anything out of the remainder of the school year. One NYT's article focused on where we lose sight of the learning process along the way and how to help seniors reinvest in themselves. Or maybe reinvent themselves, and how they think about themselves. Yes, We Could ALL Value Process More In theory, I totally agree. One of the major issues we face in education is that the learning process is not necessarily valued for itself, but only for where it might lead. That's capitalism right there, friends. But beyond that, from pre-K applications all the way to college applications, we're always telling our students to keep their eyes on the horizon- what's NEXT? Where -or what--will this get you? But how about: where am I right now? What's of value right now? What if there is more than the future that we're totally missing out on? Take, for example, my students. My middle school students at The TEAK Fellowship are some of the brightest in their public school classes. They have joined a fellowship that invests in them as future leaders, armed with the "best education money can buy." (And their financial aid packages subsidize the cost). But there is a(nother) cost: these students have, for themselves and their families, been trained to think far into the future. Everything they do is for something that comes later, hopefully. But what if you get hit by a bus? The value of "later" evaporates. Do we understand what "rewarding" really feels like? So why is it so Continue Reading …
Be believable in your college essay
Perfect isn't believable Even Olympic Champions have their weaknesses: your college essay may be only as believable as yours. Take a step back and look at your intentions for your admissions essay: are you trying to be, to sound, perfect? So that the admissions committee will have not a shred of doubt about bringing you to their school? Actually, your humanity is far more believable and appealing if you admit (so to speak) to knowing your weaknesses. Lately, I've been getting great lessons in this from reading about gymnast Simone Biles. She's so inarguably tremendous, yet flawed just like the rest of us. Include your flaws because you're a character now Simone Biles is considered "the best gymnast in the world"; but she's also a teenager. As perfect as her gymnastics is, her humanity is evident. We can point to so-called imperfect traits (I culled these from recent journalism). She's afraid of bees. She won't quite call the guy she's seeing her "boyfriend." But she can land dazzling, nearly impossible jumps that would have the rest of us in the emergency room, or worse. My point should be your point: Take a good look at not only what makes you a super star (each of us can get a gold in something), but also what weakness makes you believable as a character. I'll tell you if you tell me...or, let's both tell everybody! We know it can feel like dicey terrain to admit to weaknesses when stakes are high. At Essay Intensive, we practice what we preach, so here goes: I get really territorial around vegetables. I need a lot of them in my fridge at any one time to be safe and comfortable. I need at least half my plate to be taken up by vegetables. I'm lucky to have access to them. I get all squirmy when a meal is served without enough of them. Oh, and will I lose cred in your eyes if I tell you I often get long division incorrect? Or come up with two different answers to the same problem? Or that I went bald from thinking too hard trying to do Continue Reading …
There’s more Inside! Your gutsy college essay…
Gut Feelings What’s more New York than a Deli with a botanical name pushing questionable health foods? Well, courtesy of my local deli comes a lesson in writing an authentic and gutsy college essay. In the GARDEN DELI window, a sign reads, “Fresh food all day.” The rub? The poster advertises the least fresh-looking food conceivable. Who you going to trust? It challenges famously. My words or your own (lying) eyes? Some delights cannot be feigned. Writer, take note. Continue Reading …