College Admission Terms That Annoy Me

Pretty direct, huh? Well, I had been working on some post-November 1 reflections, but then November came and went. One of my takeaways was to discuss trends that I wish weren’t actually trending and I realized there were some recurring themes that were mostly centered around semantics. There are certain admissions terms that I would prefer to eliminate from our vocabulary. They are typically used by applicants or people not directly involved with admissions. Perhaps they are just words, but considering that I never hear AO’s saying most of these terms, there are lessons that can be learned when we use the proper or alternative terminology.

“Passion Project”

My biggest pet peeve. This feels more like a college consulting marketing term than an actual admissions requirement. If anything, it can even carry a negative connotation among those who have actually done admissions work. It feels more forced than authentic. If you are doing something authentically, it naturally grows over time and you grow along with the experience. If the inspiration is there, you should naturally pursue something that benefits you and those around you. If you believe in an idea, it should extend beyond a “project.” It should be part of your identity and values. Let’s stop using this term because it does not resonate in admission committees, nor is it even used. 

“Safety School”

This is an outdated term. Also, no college wants to be known as “safe.” It implies that as a backup option, it is less of a priority. It’s harder to be excited about a place that is considered a safety. And in this landscape, nothing is safe anymore, so it’s also not a consistently accurate term to begin with. Let’s stop using this term and instead use “likely school.” It’s less harsh and it more accurately represents the admissions landscape.

“Dream School”

On the other end, you have this. I’m more understanding about this idea, but I do worry that it leads to a certain way of thinking. It feels like putting all your eggs in one basket and it makes students more focused on a singular goal. That’s not what this process should be, though colleges also give students the opportunity to go for it. No one says “dream characteristics” after all. I would try to avoid this mentality if at all possible. It’s nice to have something to shoot for, but a balanced list should always be the priority over a best case scenario. 

“Leadership” Positions

It’s not so much the term I take issue with. However, I think it forces students to seek titles over responsibilities. AO’s are looking beyond titles. I think we’ve all been in groups where the “leader” didn’t do much at all. There are many ways that you can demonstrate leadership, and anyone can call themselves a leader on paper. It’s more about what others think. I would put summer internships in the same category. The name or the industry do not matter as much as what you actually did in your role. It’s why many “other” recommendations in the Common App do not carry much weight. Leadership is always going to be one of those buzzwords that stresses some people out, but you can demonstrate authentic leadership in many ways.

“Stand out”

I hear this all the time: “How can I stand out?” Unfortunately, asking that question isn’t the best start. I’ve been working in the admissions field for many years and I can think of maybe 5 students that truly stood out for me. Only 1 or 2 of them were elite students academically. They were the ones who were unapologetically themselves and you couldn’t “coach” them to be who they were. It’s easier said than done if you’re in a traditional high school environment where following the crowd is the norm. What does standing out even look like? It’s different for every person and if you don’t have the academic qualifications, it might not matter anyway. Much like leadership, the students who “stand out” are usually identified by others. You can only stand out so much on paper, so why not just stand out every day?

“Demonstrated Interest”

I blame the colleges for this one and there’s no term that can easily replace this as far as I know. I’ve written about this at length previously, but it’s still worth noting because it has become so overblown. The term itself won’t go away, and honestly, it does matter for some colleges. It’s more about the calculated nature of how we perceive it, i.e. a strategic edge. If you are interested in a college, you would naturally do the things that communicate that you’re interested. Your supplements that address your interest in the schools should be the product of the extensive research and reflection you’ve done. It’s also hard to do that when you apply to over 20 colleges.

I hope this didn’t sound like a rant. It wasn’t meant to be. I just think the way we talk about college and the admissions process affects how students see colleges, and to a degree, themselves. There is a place for everyone and a path for everyone. It just might take some redefining to take ownership of it.