TIP: Students Aren’t Rejected, Applications Are. 

TALE: At a school college night presentation, I delivered my “Behind The Scenes Truths” talk.This mom introduced herself and shared everything her daughter was doing as a sophomore. I was indeed impressed. A year later, I invited her to enroll her daughter in college essay bootcamp. With her busy schedule they couldn’t make it work and as the mom plainly stated, “She wants to do this on her own.”

Months later, the mom called, “I think she needs your help. She’s stuck.” With a quick review of what the daughter had already written, this was a typical essay topic and I was certain there was a better story to share. With a November 1 Early Decision deadline to Harvard, we had just over one month. In truth the daughter was a bit of a tough nut to crack, but I kept digging, knowing that we would eventually excavate gold. We did. She must have drafted five or six drafts of that essay and to this day it’s one of my favorites.

And yes, she was admitted to Harvard before Christmas! Boom!

TRUTH: I must admit, THIS is exactly the kid I worry most about. You know, that overachiever that’s done everything right. You don’t want to believe it, and worse you don’t want to say this outloud, but the truth is, everyone applying to H-Y-P-S, well they all have done everything “right.” The point is this, students aren’t rejected, applications are, and until the student finds that perfectly authentic and unique narrative, they will fade into the background of every other applicant.