"I'm a 17-year-old high school senior living just outside Los Angeles, and I'm gearing up to apply to more than 20 colleges over the next few months. I'm the founder of Voices Unmuted, an organization that teaches public speaking workshops to children internationally. I regularly compete in debates, host a podcast, co-authored a children's book, and have built a TikTok following of over 100,000 people."
"I learned to avoid the 'impressiveness trap' When I started high school, I fell into what my college counselor, Steve Gardner, calls the "impressiveness trap." I was trying to do everything to look perfect on college applications. I joined clubs I didn't enjoy to pursue leadership roles, volunteered wherever I could, and took classes that weren't my interest. I was spreading myself thin trying to be the stereotypical perfect applicant."
A 17-year-old high school senior outside Los Angeles built a portfolio: founder of Voices Unmuted, international public speaking workshops, debate competitor, podcast host, co-author, and a TikTok audience over 100,000. Years of deliberate narrowing of interests enabled a clear academic focus for college applications. A college counselor warned against the 'impressiveness trap' and advised dropping unnecessary clubs and prioritizing sleep. Prior attempts to join many activities produced little progress and burnout. The student refocused on public speaking and a political science path, committing to genuine interests rather than superficial breadth.
Read at Business Insider
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