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<p>I agree completely. The kid’s got to develop the identity first, then present it. </p>
<p>I love what you wrote about your son’s relationship to his music. That’s the wonder of a liberal arts education: The ability of knowledge and ideas to ricochet off each other in an ever increasing spiral of self awareness. I think the colleges see the applicants’ personas as intellectual raw material receptive to development and expansion. </p>
<p>Potential to benefit from what the college has to offer is critical as is the potential to contribute to the college community. The label/profile can help the adcom focus on this potential.</p>