What do Sidney Crosby and excellent college applications have in common? Character.
How Sidney Crosby got the last laugh on a New York heckler.
Sidney Crosby: a name well known by Canadians and hockey fans alike. Sidney’s fan base is huge. Why is this? Sure, Sid is one of the best hockey players of our day. And being a top athlete brings a good deal of followers.
But Sid has an extra something. He demonstrates strong character both on and off the ice. The news story above paints a picture of his ability to laugh at himself and enjoy his work. A heckler taunted him by saying he was “voted third toughest Canadian behind Celine Dion and a close second to Avril Lavinge”. That’s pretty good! Sid’s response shows his enjoyment of his heckler’s creativity and a playful spirit in the signed stick.
Character Counts in College Admissions
Character counts in college admissions, too. Many colleges in the United States, including and especially the most selective schools, require application materials above and beyond grades and test scores. While there are a number of reasons for this, the primary reason is to get to know the student and their character better. For instance, a letter of recommendation from a teacher can show how the student interacted with peers in class. Another example is an essay that depicts how a student approaches adversity and handles failure.
Identifying and conveying their character in a genuine and meaningful way is one of the most daunting parts of the application process for many high school students. For most students, this will be one of the first times they employ this type of self-reflection and writing.
Working with teenagers to identify and communicate who they are and what’s important both about them and to them is one of my greatest joys. In our work together, I help students to see and articulate their own character and values. This prepares students for success not only in college admissions, but also throughout life!
Character counts. Are you ready to communicate this to your prospective colleges? Let’s chat!