No Short Cut to College

The other day I read a news story about parents in Hong Kong who are suing a Boston-based college consultant for $2 million dollars.  The consultant promised to set up their 2 children with prestigious high school educations and to make introductions that would guaranteed their subsequent admission to Harvard.  He solicited the parents before the children were high school aged, representing himself as a Harvard professor with ties to the admissions office.   Over the years, the parents paid the consultant $2 million dollars, purportedly to be used to make large donations to the target institution.  This is a glimpse at a growing cottage industry that is being fueled by ever-larger applicant pools for admission to the top schools.  Though extreme, it is an extreme example of the lengths to which parents will go to see their children hit the college jackpot. 

While this article focused on the deception and possible fraud perpetrated by the college counselor, I found myself judging the parents.   Who lays out millions of dollars for a college certainty before their children have refined their interests?   I have difficulty viewing these parents as victims. They seem more interested in buying an outcome to their children’s education than in participating in their upbringing.

College consultants are very popular in our area.  When my children were in high school, I received solicitous marketing materials by mail on a regular basis (none from the personal named in this case and none that seemed disreputable).  Almost all touted the past titles (admissions officer, dean) and institutional connections (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) of their consultants.   Parents begin in their student’s sophomore and junior year to use these consultants, helping them to make choices about high yield extracurricular activities, courses (which lead to the “right” letters of recommendation), and other aspects of their academic record.  By the summer after junior year, the consultants are working on the “packaging” of the student and the application essays.

I have never used these consultants; nor have I read an application produced under their supervision.  On the other hand, I spent 14 years conducting interviews for my own alma mater, which imparts a certain insight into the admissions process.  I have heard college admissions officers complain about college counselors, bemoaning the effect they have on the admissions process.  They suspect many applications of being produced by a third party.  When I conduct an interview, I always make the assumption that a student’s greatest area of expertise is himself.   Therefore, I try to ask questions that let the student reveal the depth of her academic interest, demonstrate how she uses what she learns, and show what vision she has for herself.  I try to get at what really motivates a student's academic achievement rather than what she has been taught to say.  For many applicants, it is difficult to crack that shell.

I am not exaggerating when I say that every student I have interviewed has a similar resume.  I have seen consistently excellent GPAs coupled with 4 to 6 AP exams.  All have done community service, as it is a requirement for graduation in our town.   There are a few predictable variations:  science or arts, athlete or musician.  Just as common are those who have no focus among their many interests.  All are seeking an Ivy League school. 

After conducting dozens of interviews, I came up with a few questions that I use routinely as an assay of a student’s scholarly potential.  One of my favorites is to ask the student to describe their favorite term paper or research project.  Remarkably, many are unable to recall their 10^th grade history project or are unable to explain how they got the idea for their Science Fair project.   Only a few students have ever given a detailed response to why they are interested in attending the specific school for which I was interviewing them.  Sadly, more students report being motivated by the need to get good grades or amass credentials than by a true passion or an interest developed from in-depth study.  When you find a true scholar, it shoes.  The conversation is easy.  It demonstrates a joy of learning.  It floats from topic to topic, referencing moments of keen awareness, reveals moments of revelation with literature, or other "aha" events in the student's own development.

The irony to the burgeoning college consultant industry is that college admissions officers see through the packaging.  A college application is not a corporate business plan; it is an opportunity for the student to exercise her voice.   It should read as something that was composed by a 17 year old, while showing depth of thought and a point of view.  A good essay will reveal rather than tell.  If you consider that there are zillions of applications for every available slot, nothing is more important than a clear and distinct voice.  Many college consultants do the opposite, driving the student away from themselves and toward their company’s style.

A lot of people ask me to talk to their kids about their college applications.  I always give the same advice:  be yourself.  The goal of applying to college is for the student to find a good match to her abilities and her life’s goals.  If the student does not reveal herself honestly, she runs the risk of not matching with the best fit institution.   Not all roads lead to Harvard, and that's OK, too.

There is an important role for parents, teachers, and counselors in the college application process.  There are many practical and financial considerations in choosing a school.  Brainstorming, pitching ideas, and proof-reading are all critical to producing a well-considered application.  And it is important to be supportive about a wide range of great schools, no matter where the application leads.   But the process, like its consequences, should be owned by the student.