Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail Students shouldn't stress perfection in college applications

Question

By Angel B. Pérez
2012
Many students experience intense pressure to be perfect in school, especially to ensure that they are accepted to a top university. But how important is a perfect college application? In this informational article, a dean of admissions discusses what colleges are really looking for and offers his surprising take on the importance of failure.
As you read, take notes on the reasons why the author thinks students should be honest about their failures on college applications.
I ask every student I interview for admission
[1]
to my institution, Pitzer College, the same
question, “What do you look forward to the
most in college?” I was stunned and delighted
recently when a student sat across from me
at a Starbucks in New York City and replied, “I
look forward to the possibility of failure.” Of
course, this is not how most students respond
to the question when sitting before the
person who can make decisions about their

academic futures, but this young man took a risk.
“You see, my parents have never let me fail,”
"college" by Hamza Butt is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

he said. “When I want to take a chance at something, they remind me it’s not a safe route to take. Taking a more rigorous1course or trying an activity I may not succeed in, they tell me, will ruin my chances at college admission. Even the sacrifice of staying up late to do something unrelated to school, they see as a risk to my academic work and college success.”
I wish I could tell you this is an uncommon story, but kids all over the world admit they are under tremendous pressure to be perfect. When I was traveling in China last fall and asked a student what she did for fun, she replied: “I thought I wasn’t supposed to tell you that? I wouldn’t want you to think I am not serious about my work!”
1. Rigorous (adjective) very difficult, challenging, or demanding
1

Students are usually in shock when I chuckle and tell them I never expect perfection. In fact, I prefer they not project it in their college applications. Of course, this goes against everything they’ve been told and makes young people uncomfortable. How could a dean of admission at
one of America’s most selective institutions not want the best and the brightest? The reality is, perfection doesn’t exist, and we don’t expect to see it in a college application. In fact, admission officers tend to be skeptical2of students who present themselves as individuals without flaws.
[5]
These days, finding imperfections in a college application is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Students try their best to hide factors they perceive to be negative and only tell us things they believe we will find impressive. This is supported by a secondary school culture where teachers are under pressure to give students nothing less than an A, and counselors are told not to report disciplinary infractions to colleges. Education agents in other countries are known to falsify student transcripts, assuming that an outstanding GPA is the ticket to admission.
Colleges respond to culture shifts, and admission officers are digging deeper to find out who students really are outside of their trophies, medals, and test scores. We get the most excited when we read an application that seems real. It’s so rare to hear stories of defeat and triumph that when we do, we cheer. If their perspectives are of lessons learned or challenges overcome, these applicants tend to jump to the top of the heap at highly selective colleges. We believe an error in high school should not define the rest of your life, but how you respond could shape you forever.
I’ve spent enough time in high schools to know teenagers will never be perfect. They do silly things, mess up, fall down, and lack confidence. The ability to bounce back is a fundamental3 life skill students have to learn on their own. The lessons of failure can’t be taught in a classroom; they are experienced and reflected upon. During my weekend of interviews, another student told me, “I’m ashamed to admit I failed precalculus, but I decided to take it again and got a B-plus. I’m now taking calculus, and even though I don’t love it, I’m glad I pushed through!” I asked him what he learned from the experience. “I learned to let go of shame,” he said. “I realized that I can’t let a grade define my success. I also learned that if you want anything bad enough, you can achieve it.”
I smiled as I wrote his words down on the application-review form. This kid will thrive on my campus. Not only will the faculty love him, but he has the coping skills he needs to adjust to the rigors of life in a residential college setting. Failure is about growth, learning, overcoming, and moving on. Let’s allow young people to fail. Not only will they learn something, it might even get them into college.
2. Skeptical (adjective) not easily convinced; doubtful
3. Fundamental (adjective) of central importance
2

"Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail" from Education Week by Angel B. Pérez. Copyright © 2012 by Angel B. Pérez. Used by permission of author. All rights reserved.

Evidence #2: In your experience, what qualities contribute most to a person's success? Use an example from your personal experiences as support.

Answer 1

In the article "Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail," Angel B. Pérez discusses the importance of acknowledging and embracing failure as a part of personal growth, especially in the context of college admissions. Pérez argues that students should be honest about their failures on college applications because:

1. Perfection Isn't Realistic: The idea of perfection is a myth, and college admissions officers are skeptical of students who try to present themselves as flawless. Many successful individuals have experienced setbacks, and these experiences often contribute to personal growth.

2. Learning from Failure: Failure can provide valuable lessons that help students develop important life skills, such as resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. These skills are crucial for success in college and beyond.

3. Authenticity Matters: Colleges are looking for genuine stories and real experiences. Applicants who share their struggles and what they've learned from them can stand out in a sea of applications that focus solely on achievements.

4. Resilience Indicates Potential: Students who have faced challenges and learned to overcome them demonstrate resilience, which is an essential trait for thriving in the demanding environment of college.

5. Encouraging Exploration: By allowing students to take risks — even if that means failing at times — educational institutions can foster a culture of exploration and personal development, leading to more well-rounded individuals.

Personal Experience Example:

In my own experience, I faced a significant setback during my sophomore year of high school when I failed a major project in my science class. Initially, I was embarrassed and ashamed, fearing that my grade would deter my chances of getting into a good college. However, after reflecting on the experience, I recognized the areas where I had gone wrong: I hadn’t managed my time well, and I had underestimated the complexity of the project.

I decided to address my shortcomings head-on. I approached my teacher for feedback on how to improve, and I sought extra help after school. As a result, when I retook a similar project later in the year, I applied what I had learned and received a much higher grade. More importantly, I learned valuable skills in time management, seeking help when needed, and maintaining a growth mindset.

This experience ultimately contributed to my success in future classes and instilled in me a resilience that I carry to this day. By embracing failure rather than hiding from it, I was better equipped to handle challenges in college, illustrating what Pérez emphasizes in his article: that failure is not only a part of the journey but can be a catalyst for growth and success.