The Year of the Flaming Pajamas
Some years ago, UCAS (the UK equivalent of the Common Application in the US) ordered a study of the personal statements submitted by October 15. The incidence of plagiarism among students applying to Oxbridge was horrendous. Equally appalling, to my mind, was the sheer stupidity of the anecdote so many students thought would get them into Oxbridge.
It involved a small child who loved their chemistry set so much that one day, in their enthusiasm, they burned holes in their pajamas.
A young chemist. Photo by Clint Patterson
Athena Advises
Right: I would never recognize the 50th iteration of that anecdote. Would you?
More importantly, would you consider this an excellent qualification for admission to university?
Variations on the theme of the adorable child prodigy story abound in admissions. They need not be plagiarized! I'm sure many of them are true! I'm even willing to believe that many of you showed an early inclination to your chosen field of study.
The problem is that when I read an essay that begins, "Ever since I was one . . .", my first reaction is: Your mother remembers when you were one year old, but you do not.
And the problem with a love of Legos™ as a sure sign of a budding engineer is that most children like to play with blocks, but few go on to excel in advanced mathematics.
I too teamed up with my cousin Cori to rip flowers out of my mother's garden and sell them at the subway—but I would not mention this on an MBA application, as an example of teamwork and entrepreneurship skills.
My advice? Stick to recent accomplishments. Your teenage business-building is fine, but early childhood experiences are likely to sound like someone else's memory, rather than authentically yours. Even if your intention is to convey a deep-seated character trait that shows you are clearly suited to your future path, choose a story about you at an age when you are old enough to reflect on who you really are.
Tell your own story—and tell it yourself.
Dr. Marlena Corcoran
Founder and CEO
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