mixed news

[editrix]

<p>Andi, here’s a link to one of the discussions about the way that words like ‘diligent’ and ‘hard-working’ can be seen as damning an applicant with faint praise: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=457845&highlight=diligent#post457845[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=457845&highlight=diligent#post457845&lt;/a&gt;. For example:

@Marite

Certain terms have acquired negative connotations because they are used to disguise (vainly) the fact that the rec-writer cannot describe the applicant in ways that would appeal to readers more. For example, top schools want students who are creative and imaginative. The teacher, however, knows that the student is neither, but has gotten good grades by dint of hard work. The teacher will say the student is hard working, disciplined, conscientious, diligent. These are actually good qualities to have; the best rec will combine both creative and imaginative with hard working. But hard-working on its own may give the impression that the student will do all the readings but will not be able to do so critically and come up with his or her own synthesis and interpretation….

But the references you quoted sound genuinely terrific, which makes the admissions outcome harder to rationalize than ever. </p>

<p>Congratulations on your son’s graduation tomorrow: May it be only the first of many long-delayed celebrations of his accomplishments in high school. As difficult as it must be to hold on to this thought, I continue to believe that all his talent and intellectual zeal and, yes, hard work will pay off in the end.</p>