If I Had to Get into Every Ivy League Again, This is What I’d Do

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on their Ivy League admission journey and shares valuable lessons learned. They discuss how focusing on building a cohesive story around core values like creativity, curiosity, and service would have strengthened their application. Mistakes such as overloading on activities for appearance, trying to be perfect, and rushing projects are highlighted. The speaker emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and meaningful growth over seeking perfection. They offer insights into how high school students can focus on what truly excites them, leading to a more genuine and impactful application.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focusing on a cohesive story is key to building a strong college application rather than just doing more activities.
• 😀 Rigorous courses should be chosen intentionally to reflect your growth, values, and long-term goals, not just for GPA boosts.
• 😀 Authenticity matters more than impressiveness—colleges want to see who you really are, not a perfect image.
• 😀 High-achieving students often fall into the perfectionism trap, trying to be flawless, but authenticity and vulnerability stand out more.
• 😀 It's better to focus deeply on a few meaningful activities than spread yourself too thin across many clubs and projects.
• 😀 Passion projects should be started early to allow time for growth, partnerships, and impact beyond just a local level.
• 😀 Choosing activities based on what excites you will help your application feel alive and genuine, while doing things just to look good can feel forced.
• 😀 Admission officers value depth in your involvement over the quantity of activities or internships.
• 😀 Early reflection on your core values (e.g., creativity, curiosity, service) can help guide your academic and extracurricular choices.
• 😀 Success in admissions is more about personal growth and less about creating a flawless resume—embrace the journey of becoming.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker conveys about college admissions?

The speaker emphasizes that college admissions are not about doing more but about making what you do meaningful. Success is achieved through authenticity, consistency, and aligning your actions with your core values.

Why does the speaker regret their choice of high school classes?

The speaker regrets taking many advanced classes just to boost their GPA without considering how these courses fit into their long-term story. They suggest being more intentional about class choices to align with their values and future goals.

How did the speaker’s passion project impact their application?

The passion project, an art organization that donated supplies to underserved communities, became one of the strongest parts of their application. It was a tangible representation of their values of creativity and service, and it aligned with their broader narrative.

What is the 'perfectionism trap' mentioned in the script?

The 'perfectionism trap' refers to the tendency of high-achieving students to focus on flawless grades, projects, and leadership roles. This focus on perfection can hinder authenticity by preventing students from showing growth, vulnerability, and self-awareness.

What mistake does the speaker say many students make in terms of extracurricular activities?

Many students try to do too many activities to appear impressive on paper, spreading themselves too thin. Instead of depth in one area, they end up showing a lack of meaningful commitment, which admission officers can easily spot.

How did the speaker approach their essays in hindsight?

In hindsight, the speaker would have approached their essays more authentically, using their unique voice and reflecting on personal growth. They recommend journaling and identifying core stories throughout high school to craft a consistent narrative.

What key factor does the speaker wish they had focused on earlier in high school?

The speaker wishes they had focused earlier on identifying and developing their core values, such as creativity, curiosity, and service. These values would have guided their decisions in classes, extracurricular activities, and personal projects.

What is the main difference between the two students the speaker compares in terms of their activities?

The speaker compares two students: one forced herself to start a coding nonprofit because it 'looked good,' while the other pursued her passion for art and social justice. The second student’s project felt authentic and alive, while the first one felt mechanical and forced.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the timing of starting a passion project?

The speaker advises starting a passion project as early as possible to allow time for it to grow, build partnerships, and make a more significant impact. They regret not starting their own project sooner.

What is the 'trophy collector' and how does it affect college applications?

The 'trophy collector' is a student who participates in many clubs and internships but lacks depth in any one area. This scattered approach to extracurriculars diminishes the impact of their application, as admission officers can recognize a lack of focus or commitment.