Have you ever wondered what gets a student into college? What really gets a student into college? In my 10 years as a college admission counselor, I’ve found out firsthand. And some of them might surprise you! Here are 3 previews of the kinds of stories you can expect to find here.
Leave Nothing on the Table
Alex had it all - solid GPA, lots of AP’s, and a great SAT score. But in our 10th meeting, he casually said something that grabbed me: he’s a certified collector of rare American coins, including the elusive $500 bill. It might sound odd, but this is application gold! These unique hobbies often go unmentioned - but colleges go nuts for them. I knew we needed to display this prominently in his application essay & activities list. Sure enough, when he received his admission letter from his dream school of Cornell University, it included a handwritten note: “We loved hearing about your fun rare coin collection.” To think he almost left it out!
Advocate for Yourself
As Associate Director of Admission at a Los Angeles university, I’ve spoken with thousands of high schoolers. Once, a student announced to me, “Mr. Peter Walton, sir, my GPA sucks but I need to be at your university and here’s why.” I’d never been addressed that way! He had my attention. As it turned out, that conversation was the very reason I fought to admit him. His abysmally low GPA suddenly went from a deal-breaker to a “we can work this out”. All because he advocated for himself and shared the story behind his application.
The Essay Makes the Difference
In my previous job, I read more than 13,000 college essays. Now, my favorite part of my job is coaching students through crafting their own. Great essays are personal, persuasive, and pique your interest. What’s the best I’ve ever read? Surprisingly, it wasn’t about curing cancer or climbing Everest (all great topics). It was about navigating a confrontation in a Taco Bell drive-thru. Yes, you read that right: Taco Bell. It involved driving cardboard cars and negotiating with the police. The student took a big risk! But in telling that story, he effectively showcased his character, convictions, and creative writing - and it totally paid off. I will devote a blog solely to this essay in the future. But it stands as a hopeful reminder that taking a risk on a college essay can make all the difference.
These are just 3 of the dozens of stories I’ll share on this blog every Monday. I hope that they give you a brighter approach for your own college application. See you next week.
Peace, Peter
