How to Get Admissions Officers to Like You

Hey y’all,

The college admissions season is in full swing! With the EA deadline a few weeks away, I’m sure many of you are writing your college essays.

Instead of lecturing you on grammar and syntax, however, I want to address a broader topic: likability.

Sure, admissions officers admire strong command of language and vivid storytelling, but they’re more interested in your character and understanding the kind of person you are.

Are you kind? Are you humorous? Are you pleasant to be around?

Chances are, you are all these things, but maybe you struggle to convey these characteristics through your essays.

Here are my tips to fix that.

Before we jump in, check out our essay review service if you need help with your essays. Our team of consultants can provide detailed feedback and edits in as little as 24 hours!

🙏 Tip #1: Be Vulnerable

Nobody likes a braggart. By all means, highlight your achievements in your college essays, but don’t portray yourself as an infallible individual who excels in every regard.

Humans are imperfect—and there’s a beauty in owning and opening up about your imperfections. Addressing a weakness or opening up about a sensitive topic will help you win the trust of your admissions reader.

For example, when I was applying to MIT, I said I wanted to study machine learning but admitted I knew nothing about the field.

Yet by opening up about this knowledge gap, I came across as more authentic. Better yet, I turned this “weakness” into a strength by commenting on my fascination with the field and desire to dive in at MIT.

Don’t force vulnerability into your essays, but keep an eye out for opportunities where you can open up to your admissions reader.

(And use your discretion. There’s a fine line between being vulnerable and exposing yourself. You’re a machine learning enthusiast who knows nothing about machine learning? That’s fine. You skipped five days of school to play video games? Might wanna keep that to yourself.)

🙌 Tip #2: Incorporate Humor

This one’s tricky. Whenever students hear “incorporate humor,” they think it’s time to start cracking jokes.

The goal here isn’t to become a stand-up comedian; it’s to embrace an endearing sense of lightheartedness and playfulness.

For example, a self-deprecating quip about your inability to resist a late-night snack or a light-hearted observation about your little cousin could liven up an essay.

Similar to vulnerability, humor is a quality that can lower defenses, allowing your personality to shine through and resonate with the reader.

The goal here is subtlety and relevance; your humor should enhance your story, not distract from it

🤫 Tip #3: Use Understatement

Students applying to prestigious schools feel compelled to embellish or overstate their accomplishments. And look, I don’t blame you. As these schools become more competitive, you need to find ways to stand out.

But in a world where everyone’s trying to humble brag to impress admissions officers, what if you stay real with them? What if you say things as they are and nothing more?

First, let’s look at an example of overstatement:

“I single-handedly led my team to win the national championship.”

And now, let’s ground this statement using a more understated tone:

“I helped debug code, design the UX, and coordinate the outreach group on the way to the national championship.”

We gain the trust of the reader with specificity and humility. And maybe you’re scared this statement sounds “less impressive.” Don’t worry. By detailing your specific actions, you let your work speak for itself.

What did you think about this newsletter? DM me on Instagram (@goharsguide) to let me know!

If you want study help, come join my Discord! We have a global community of students helping each other succeed in school. I’d love to see you there.

And if you need help with college essays, check out Next Admit! We have a team of Ivy League consultants eager to help you navigate the admissions process.

I’ll see you next week!

Best,
Gohar