Parents and students often experience the college application process as a stressful and uncertain time. When the goal of the admissions process is simply to get into the best college you can, students miss out on a valuable opportunity to learn what their talents and values really are. But what if instead, the application process could be the key to discovering a student\u2019s authentic self? Are applications the finish line or the start of a student\u2019s best life? Is it the end of a marathon or the start of an exploration?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anjali Maazel, a college counselor in Austin, TX, advocates that we foster teens\u2019 skill development and workforce readiness through the lens of discovering and developing their authentic passions – and that the college application process is the perfect vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChanging the conversation around college admissions is vital. Instead of focusing only on \u2018getting in\u2019 to a narrow list of schools, we should guide students to discover their mission, their source of joy, and their ability to make a difference,\u201d Maazel told Cirkled In.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maazel explains that many parents and students believe children must become doctors, lawyers, or engineers to succeed. This belief, combined with pressure to attend a highly ranked college, often pushes students into a \u201ccheck-the-box\u201d mindset. They focus only on getting into a good college instead of exploring who they truly are and what makes them feel happy, inspired, and connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, citing a 2017 McKinsey study, Maazel shows how the skills developed through the arts and humanities may actually give students an edge in our automated, AI-driven future. Skills like creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and communication are all vital and highly desired by employers. Therefore, the opportunities for students to study what they love AND create a financially viable career are much broader than they typically think. Armed with this knowledge, students can then freely discover and develop their talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n