Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail

Question

Students shouldn't stress perfection in college applications

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
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,”
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 rigorous1

course 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]

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 skeptical2

of students who present themselves as individuals without flaws.
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.
[5]

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.
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

Writing Assignment Prompt Instructions
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READ the article “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail” by Angel B. Perez.

Prompt:
According to the article “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail,” why do people succeed? What personal qualities contribute most to a person's success? Cite evidence from the text and from your own experiences.

Assignment:
Complete the Graphic Organizer below, filling in all of the boxes. Use the Writer’s Checklist to make sure you have met all of the requirements.

Writer’s Checklist:
I completed all parts of the graphic organizer.
I included the TAG (Title, Author, and Genre) in my introductory sentence..
The thesis (main claim) of my response is clearly stated in the introductory sentence.
I used at least one direct quote from the passage as textual evidence to support my claim.
I used at least one example from my personal experience as evidence to support my claim.
My analysis clearly explains HOW my evidence supports my claims.
My concluding statement sums up my evidence and explains how the evidence relates to the thesis (main claim).
My response is written in complete sentences.
I used proper grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

Resources:
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Graphic Organizer for Response
Introductory Sentence: Clearly state your thesis (the main claim of your entire response).

Include the Title, Author, and Genre (the type of text) in the first sentence of your introduction. Use this format:

In the <genre> <”title of text”> by <author’s name>,...

For example: In the article “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail” by Angel B. Perez,... <state your thesis>.
Thesis Statement:

Evidence #1: According to the reading passage, why do people succeed? Use a direct quote from the passage as support.
Evidence #2: In your experience, what qualities contribute most to a person's success? Use an example from your personal experiences as support.




Analysis #1: In 1-2 sentences of original thought, explain how the quote from the passage shows why people succeed.
Analysis #2: In 1-2 sentences of original thought, explain how your personal experience shows the qualities that contribute to a person’s success.

Concluding Statement: Tie it all up with a statement about what makes a person successful and why.

Put it all together: Copy and paste all your sentences in the box below to see your entire paragraph. See the “Structure Chart” below if needed. Proofread your work and make necessary revisions before submitting to the drop box.
(This box will enlarge as you type if you need more room.)

Structure Chart:
Paragraphs should follow this basic structure.
1-Introductory Sentence
2-Evidence #1
3-Analysis #1
4-Evidence #2
5-Analysis #2
6-Concluding Sentence

Remember to use appropriate transitions and adhere to conventions of formal writing. Avoid using second person pronouns like “you” and “your.”

Answer 1

Graphic Organizer for Response

Introductory Sentence:
In the article “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail” by Angel B. Pérez, the author argues that personal growth and resilience in the face of failure are crucial for achieving success.

Thesis Statement:
People succeed because they embrace failure as a learning experience and develop essential qualities such as perseverance and resilience.

Evidence #1:
According to the reading passage, “Failure is about growth, learning, overcoming, and moving on.”

Evidence #2:
In my experience, when I struggled in my first math class, I learned the importance of perseverance. Despite initial poor grades, I worked hard, sought help from my teacher, and ultimately improved my understanding and performance, which led to my success in future math courses.

Analysis #1:
This quote demonstrates that success often comes from the ability to learn from setbacks. Embracing failure helps individuals grow and develop the skills necessary to navigate challenges, which is essential for long-term success.

Analysis #2:
My personal experience illustrates that perseverance is vital for success. By not giving up after my initial struggles in math, I was able to turn my weaknesses into strengths, reflecting the resilience emphasized by Pérez.

Concluding Statement:
Ultimately, the ability to learn from failure and the persistence to overcome challenges are what make a person successful, as they foster personal growth and the skills required to thrive in various aspects of life.

Put it all together:
In the article “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail” by Angel B. Pérez, the author argues that personal growth and resilience in the face of failure are crucial for achieving success. People succeed because they embrace failure as a learning experience and develop essential qualities such as perseverance and resilience. According to the reading passage, “Failure is about growth, learning, overcoming, and moving on.” This quote demonstrates that success often comes from the ability to learn from setbacks. Embracing failure helps individuals grow and develop the skills necessary to navigate challenges, which is essential for long-term success. In my experience, when I struggled in my first math class, I learned the importance of perseverance. Despite initial poor grades, I worked hard, sought help from my teacher, and ultimately improved my understanding and performance, which led to my success in future math courses. My personal experience illustrates that perseverance is vital for success. By not giving up after my initial struggles in math, I was able to turn my weaknesses into strengths, reflecting the resilience emphasized by Pérez. Ultimately, the ability to learn from failure and the persistence to overcome challenges are what make a person successful, as they foster personal growth and the skills required to thrive in various aspects of life.