CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: People walk through the gate on Harvard Yard at the Harvard ... [ ] University campus on June 29, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admission policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution, bringing an end to affirmative action in higher education. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

For many families, the college admissions process feels like navigating a high-stakes maze. Parents worry that a missed extracurricular or an imperfect GPA will close doors to opportunity. Yet, the secret to raising not just great applicants and thriving adults isn’t in over-scheduling or résumé-padding—it’s in empowering your student to grow into a resilient, authentic leader.

Here’s the thing: College admissions officers are human. They aren’t just looking for students who check all the boxes—they’re looking for individuals who inspire them. As highlighted in a recent Atlantic article by David Brooks, elite admissions have shifted over the decades, evolving from a focus on hereditary privilege to the meritocratic ideal that prizes intelligence and achievement. However, Brooks underscores that this meritocratic system has created new challenges, including intensifying pressure on students to craft résumés that fit a narrow definition of success.

This shift in thinking was also evident during a November 17 webinar hosted by Khan Academy Founder Sal Khan, MIT Dean of Admissions Stu Schmill, and Forbes Contributor Brennan Barnard. They discussed how MIT prioritizes qualities like curiosity and collaboration, in addition to their credentials. Schmill emphasized that MIT looks for students who embody intellectual vitality and demonstrate a passion for exploring the........

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