I’ve googled “how to make a perfect college application” before, Because I’m sure tha admissions officers(AO) prefer an applicant whose application isn’t “too scattered”.
So my question is: when answering the various aspects of your college application, should I make sure that everything must align? For example, if I write my main common app essay about X, and I list Y ECs, and other small parts of the application ask about things that happen in my life, should I answer with stuff similar to X and Y? Like if they ask about my favourite movie, should I say a movie about a track athlete because I myself am a track athlete? Or would it be okay to write about something totally different like the lord of the rings?
My question is simply so that I can know what type of application I should make. I don’t want to make an aapplication that will throw the AO off because I look “overinterested” or something like that.
Or is being over interested what they want?
I’m just confused. How can I make a great application?
It’s impossible to know. I myself would rather read about lords of the rings from a track star than how chariots of fire inspired you to break the shcool record.
Just be yourself. Your personal story will shine through much better.
People aren’t robots. Should some of the things you care about show up in different areas. But linear application of that concept may hurt you more than help. IMHO
Agree with above - be yourself and be honest.
There is no formula because there is no perfect application. People get admitted for different reasons. I think @privatebanker is right in the sense that they’d rather read about different aspects about yourself rather than read the same essay three times about the same interest, unless it happens to be a very significant portion of your life – then I would try to frame and approach it from different ways. Be yourself and answer the questions for what is true to you.
If you just be yourself, your application will be aligned naturally. Being genuine shows through to adcoms…
You are overthinking this! The whole app doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy. “Tell a story,” sure, but don’t self-edit yourself out of the picture!
Agree, it is a terrible idea to try to create that “perfect” application – admissions officers can typically see through an application that looks contrived. Be yourself. Colleges are happy to take students who are well rounded - so if that is you then own it.
Thank you so much everyone…