College Buzzword of the Day: AUTHENTIC

The Class of 2023 is currently immersed in writing the dreaded “personal essay.” Dreaded because instead of being proud of who they are, students often feel pressure to manufacture exceptionalism. College admissions officers say they are looking for authenticity, but students are unsure of how to deliver that narrative. One of my favorite quotes on the subject is by Wendy Beckemeyer, Vice President for Enrollment Management for Cornell College:

“Being authentic means revealing the best version of yourself in your college application materials, not the best version of someone else. Colleges appreciate honest self-reflection in your writing samples or essays. It is a difficult request. Honest self-reflection is a lifelong process. However, colleges do not expect you to know the end of your story…they are interested in hearing more about where you are right now, as a high school student. Tell us what you care about, your successes, your challenges, why you are interested in a certain major, or why you don’t know yet which major is of interest to you. Tell us something that only a few close relatives or friends know about you.”

If your student is dreading the personal essay – or the entire college admissions process itself – let me help. My approach is thoughtful and deliberate, and designed to help your student focus on what matters for his/her situation. No two students are alike, and my approach to college admissions reflects that. If you’re interested in learning more about my services, reach out using any of the buttons below or give me a call at 405-906-7044!

Thanks for joining me!

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BJB

SENIORS: Now is the time! Are you ready to list your high school activities while emphasizing your passions? Let me help! I will guide you through the process and keep you focused on the points that are pertinent to your situation. As always, my goal is to help you find and fund the ideal college experience! Use the button below to connect with me and let’s get started today!

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JUNIORS: You still have time to cultivate activities that demonstrate commitment to your passions. Let me help! Let’s explore what items fall under the ‘activity’ category and ensure that you are enhancing and highlighting the activities that make you unique. My help is just a click away!

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FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORES: Want to explore how you can make the most of your high school experience? I would love to help! Sign-up for a Road Map Session and get a personalized plan cultivated to help you shine. We’ll look at academics, activities, community impact, and much more! Click the button below if you’re ready to get started.

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