"… ‘Does it matter to you?’ I prod. Undoubtedly it matters to his grandfather, and to the boy’s parents who work well into the evening every weekday. But for some reason, in his application, as the young man lists his involvement, writes his personal statement, and completes supplemental essays, there is no acknowledgment of this important way he spends his time, responsible for his elderly relative’s afternoon care. It is just what he does, part of his DNA, an inherent aspect of being part of his family and community.
This matters, as do many contributions that young people make, not to earn “points” for college admission or to impress others, but because it is what they have to do, or who they are, and a reflection of what they value. Applying to college can easily seem transactional—grades, test scores, school activities, athletics, volunteer hours—all external expectations of “selling” one’s self to an admission office. The irony is that colleges want to know who the applicant is, not just what they do. Application reviewers also want to have context when evaluating students’ academic achievement, like what other burdens or demands on their time exist." …