Cultivating Excellence Podcast EP 21: College Admissions Mythbusting
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Oct 8, 2025 Lee Norwood, founder of Annapolis College Consulting, shares his wealth of college admissions expertise. He myth-busts common misconceptions like the importance of authenticity in major declarations. Lee emphasizes rigor over GPA gaming and the necessity of compelling storytelling in essays. He advocates for genuine extracurricular involvement rather than chasing trends. Discussing the Varsity Blues scandal, he highlights its negative effects. Finally, he advises on the risks of applying to too many schools and the importance of aligning college choices with long-term goals.
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Prioritize Course Rigor
- Prioritize course rigor over chasing a higher weighted GPA because colleges examine the difficulty of your classes first.
- Take the five core subjects (math, English, science, social studies, foreign language) across four years when possible.
Essays Need Narrative And Meaning
- A compelling college essay shows clear storytelling, meaning, and who the writer becomes from the event.
- Short, well-crafted personal stories connect more than generic 'big achievement' tropes.
Practice Storytelling With The Moth
- Listen to story-focused shows like The Moth to learn concise personal storytelling and emotional hooks.
- Practice short, vivid stories; shorter writing requires stronger craft than long-form pieces.