The Pilgrim College Guidance Blog
News, trends, insights, and the occasional self-indulgent fluff piece
Photo credit: Jen Jordan Photography
Reflections on the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action
When the Supreme Court released their decision to prohibit the consideration of race in the college admission process a few weeks ago, it came as no surprise. And yet, I felt a sense of disappointment for my field and I know many others have publicly shared the same sentiment. I’m going to try to keep this post relatively brief, and maybe even objective, as I’m still processing and reading articles, but there have been a lot of conversations taking place about the future of college admissions. I don’t want to get into the political or even legal aspect of this decision, as neither are my areas of expertise. I do know college admissions though, so I’ll keep the focus on that.
Is it Possible to “Game The System?”
I’ve been getting asked a lot recently, “So how did this year go?” I know the real question is “Where did students get in?” And the real question is “Did students get into ‘good’ schools?” Without getting too much into specifics, I was pretty pleased with what I saw directly, despite another crazy, record-breaking application season. I also understand the overall sentiment. When something is hard to get, it just makes it that much more appealing, despite what the personal reality may be. But with the chase comes the feeling of doing whatever it takes to get that thing. I’ve seen it from students trying to write the perfect essay or being involved in some activities for the wrong reasons. I’ve found over the years that this has extended into the application process itself, as if there was an edge or angle wait to be utilized. It comes up often, even more so this year for some reason, so I’ll go ahead and address it.
My Favorite Supplemental College Essay Topics This Year
I’ve read so many college essays and supplements over the years, and occasionally I like to look at things from the college’s perspective. You can often learn about a college’s values through their supplements. And since we’re at the end of the calendar year, I figured I would have some fun reflecting on what colleges have asked students to write about. Below are my top ten favorite supplemental college essay topics for this application cycle. Some of these prompts have been used for years and others are brand new, but collectively, they give insight into what matters to a college.
In Search of an Identity - Reflections on the 2022 NACAC Conference
Maybe one of these years, I will write an individual post about every session I attended at the NACAC conference. It didn’t happen last year. And it’s not happening here. I have to confess that I was reluctant to even attend this year’s conference. There is never a convenient time of year for this event, but this year seemed even more hectic and uncertain than usual. I only went because…well, it’s NACAC.
What I Learned After My First Year of Independent Consulting (And How That Applies to You)
It’s been over a year since I made the move to the independent side after many years of college counseling at private schools. I have to admit that there are things I will never miss–waking up early, public speaking, course scheduling (if you know, you know). The past year has also presented some learning opportunities from how to create a passable website to “selling myself,” for lack of a better term. I’ve received tons of help along the way and I’ve also observed others from afar, taking note of what I liked and what didn’t sit well with me. I realize that as seniors begin applying to college, they’ve probably heard all sorts of advice, with varying levels of helpfulness. To high school students, I’m hoping that you’ll be able to connect a little with what I have to share about my professional transition.
How I Used to Read College Essays (as an admissions officer)
In my past life, long before my current gig, I was an undergraduate admission counselor at the University of Southern California. My gatekeeper status occasionally made me popular at parties, but more than anything else, I enjoyed being part of a very human process. Reading applications all day mostly entailed assessing the academic and overall fit of an applicant, but it was also an opportunity to read stories, often told through college essays. There are enough “how to” guides on writing the college essay (here’s one of my favorites) and even examples of “essays that worked.” I didn’t want to add yet another cook to the kitchen as rising high school seniors have hopefully started working on their essays at this point. So I’m going with perspective > instructive. I’m putting my admissions hat back on. With no particular advice in mind, please indulge me as I reflect on how I used to read college essays as an admission officer.
College Admissions Squid Game - Reflections on the 2021-2022 Application Year
If you have Netflix, there is a good chance you’ve seen “Squid Game,” the platform’s most viewed show of all time. In this South Korean survival drama, hundreds of cash-strapped people compete in a series of children’s games in the hopes of winning billions of won. I have to admit that I was hooked from the start. Like much Korean television and cinema, the major themes focused on economic struggles and social class, but midway through the series, I was struck with the premise in a much different way. I couldn’t shake the idea that the whole series was a metaphor for the college admissions process.