Should I Overestimate Hours on My Common App? (Spoiler Alert: Don’t Even Think About It!)
Let’s be real, the college application process is a minefield of stress and anxiety. You’re juggling academics, extracurriculars, and the looming specter of your future. It’s tempting to want to make your application extra impressive, and you might be thinking, “Hey, maybe a little exaggeration on those extracurricular hours won’t hurt?”
Think again, my friend. Overestimating your hours on the Common App is a recipe for disaster.
Why You Should Never, Ever Overestimate Your Extracurricular Hours:
1. Admissions Officers Aren’t Idiots (Well, Most of Them Aren’t): They’ve seen it all, from the “I’m a world-renowned chess master” to the “I volunteered 40 hours a week for a cause I’ve never heard of.” They know how many hours are in a day, and they can smell a fake from a mile away.
2. It’s Like Trying to Convince a Dog You’re a Cat: You might think you’re pulling off the ultimate deception, but your application will be like a chihuahua trying to convince a Great Dane it’s a feline. It’s just not believable.
3. You’re Not a Superhero: We get it. You’re busy, you’re passionate, and you’re trying to impress everyone. But remember, you’re a human being, not a time-traveling, telekinetic, super-efficient robot. You can’t be in 10 places at once and still be able to function on a basic level.
4. The Truth Will Always Come Out (Like a Bad Case of Food Poisoning): Colleges have resources to verify your claims. If they suspect you’re exaggerating, they might do a little digging, and trust me, you don’t want to be on the wrong end of that investigation.
5. It Undermines Your True Achievements: Your genuine accomplishments are impressive enough! Inflating your hours makes you look like you’re trying to hide behind a facade of manufactured success.
6. You’re Setting Yourself Up for Failure: Even if you manage to slip past the admissions committee with inflated hours, you’ll be setting yourself up for a big fall when you get to college. You’ll be unprepared for the workload, the demands of college life, and the expectations of your professors.
7. It’s Just Plain Dishonest: Come on, be honest with yourself and with the colleges you’re applying to. Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to your future.
What Should You Do Instead?
Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Don’t feel pressured to list a million activities. Instead, choose a few that you’re passionate about and that truly reflect your interests and skills.
Be Realistic About Your Time Commitments: Calculate your hours honestly. If you spent 5 hours a week on a club, say 5 hours. Don’t try to inflate it to 10 or 15.
Highlight Your Impact: Instead of just listing your activities, focus on your contributions, achievements, and the impact you made. Did you organize a fundraiser, lead a community service project, or win an award? These are the things that will truly stand out to admissions officers.
Be Specific and Detailed: Don’t just say “I volunteered at a soup kitchen.” Explain what you did, how frequently you volunteered, and what you learned from the experience.
Show Your Character, Not Just Your Resume: Remember, the Common App is about more than just your accomplishments. It’s about who you are as a person, your values, and your passions. Let your personality shine through in your writing.
Don’t Let the Pressure Get to You
Remember, the college application process is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, be yourself, and be honest. You’ve got this!
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