The Difference Between a Person and an Applicant by Anish

The Difference Between a Person and an Applicant by Anish - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

I know that in our generation, college is becoming a necessity which is why I feel I should be giving you some advice on this topic as supposed to others.
Therefore, the one piece of advice I’d share with younger students would be START STUDYING FOR THE SAT ASAP!!!! Just kidding, in fact my advice would be something along completely opposite lines. Part of the problem these days, at least in the area that I went to high school is that in the past years, an example was set as to how one gets into top notch schools like Princeton and Harvard. It was get a 4.0, a 2400, be the president of this club and that club, play that sport, win this competition, and so on. Now, 3 years later as I apply to college I see so many students who have all done this and each of them has done nothing to separate one another from the pack. As a result, a lot of them have been devastated with their college decisions and are looking back and questioning the effort they put in.
With all this said, my one piece of advice to all younger students would be just go to school, take care of your responsibilities, and just do you. If you are a genuine person and everything you do is out of pure interest and no ulterior motive, it will accomplish two things. The first and arguably most important thing is that you will find yourself getting more out of that activity and you’ll find yourself more committed to it. The second thing is, that commitment and that experience comes across like a beam of light when you apply to college.
Lastly, I feel as though I can’t give this advice without telling you a bit about how that advice has fared for me. I have one main activity in high school: that is debate club. I’ve been in debate club for 3 years and now I’m a mentor for the club. That’s the only main activity I’ve done along with the basic responsibilities of getting good grades and such. Now, as a senior I’m blessed to be attending a university that is top 20 for the field I’m majoring in(Bioengineering). It is because I only did me and nothing else that I can say I’m fortunate enough to be in the position I am today.
All in all, Younger students heed my words! What I’m saying is true! Focus on becoming a better person and not a better applicant and you’ll find that high school and the college app process will be a lot more enjoyable than made out to be!