The Flaws of College Applications
By Will Lieber, 18, Illinois
Fall semester of junior year, countless high school seniors apply to dozens of colleges each, agonizing over personal statements, test scores, and extracurriculars. The menu of colleges contains over six thousand options, each with different benefits and drawbacks. Of this dizzying number of prospects, students are supposed to pick one- and then pray that one loves them back.
For some, this works. Others are left behind. Having been through the admissions process once, and now preparing to do it again, I understand it well enough to have a few thoughts on why it is flawed.
The major issues within admissions processes mainly arise out of competition. When an applicant is reaching for a certain program or competing with a large number of applicants, applicants have to somehow pitch themselves to the admissions board in a manner that makes them seem more favorable. This incentivizes the exaggeration of some characteristics and the omission or downplaying of others. This is not the fault of the students- it is the only way they stand a chance of gaining admission. It is sad, however, that this process emphasizes advertising over authenticity.
Another pertinent issue mostly attributable to competition is the dehumanization of applicants. Some American universities attract tens of thousands of applications per year- an astounding number that is undoubtedly difficult to sort through. When presented with such an incredible volume of applications, admissions committees are forced to prioritize efficiency, and must churn through applicants at a quick clip. Applicants in turn tend to be viewed as numbers when really each has significant life experiences that may be unrecognized. This inadvertently results in the dehumanization of applicants, which is noticeable in the sinking feeling one gets when opening a robotic rejection of an application containing most of their life’s work. Fortunately, some schools have recognized this, and have implemented some wholesome improvements, like asking for a smiling selfie as an additional file, or simply asking for a picture of something the applicant enjoys. These efforts on behalf of many institutions are commendable.
One final issue that permeates all kinds of applications is bias. Although I previously stated that dehumanization is an issue with applications, humanization is too. As humans, we carry perspectives that arise from our experiences, and those worldviews affect how we implicitly interact with others. The bias that jumps to mind is racial bias, but this also includes more subtle examples, such as a previous high school newspaper editor favoring an applicant who also spent time working on their high school newspaper. As long as people are evaluating applications (hopefully people always are and not machines), these biases are inevitable. Fortunately, a simple awareness of our personal tendencies and a gentle questioning of why they exist is the best way to minimize bias in daily life. This practice is already being implemented in many application circles, such as those associated with the American Medical College Application Service.
Although these flaws could negatively affect your application cycle, do not succumb to the lie that external factors will control your application and the results you receive. Ultimately, you are the author of your own life. Do what you can to improve your application and to present yourself favorably. Through focusing on what you can control and your capacity to succeed, you will inevitably achieve more satisfaction than fixating on a system that is limiting your success. Applications are tough, but with a few thoughtful essays and a passion for what you do, they can be overcome.
