College Admissions Advice That’s Just Plain WRONG

There is a lot of college admissions advice out there, and honestly? A lot of it is just wrong. In this episode, we’re calling some of it out. We get into the kinds of tips a lot of people think are useful, but don’t actually help. Like forcing or inventing opportunities for volunteering, chasing a single “passion,” or loading up on as many APs as possible. Instead, we talk about what really stands out: curiosity, trying things, changing direction, and showing genuine maturity. Because at the end of the day, admissions officers can tell the difference between what’s real and what’s performative, and that distinction matters more than most people realize. Key Points From This Episode: [0:02:10] Why it’s important to discuss college admission advice that’s just wrong.  [0:03:45] How not to help your child get volunteering experience.  [0:06:53] Whether or not it’s actually important to have a passion. [0:08:19] Demonstrating leadership and maturity.  [0:10:50] Why you don’t have to take as many APs as you can. [0:13:31] What really needs to go into an essay (and what doesn’t).  [0:15:11] Meredith and Cathy’s four-day workshop on personal essays.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Inside the Yale Admissions Podcast Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram