Parents shouldn’t fall for ‘The Harvard illusion'

Bill Fitzsimmons, Harvard’s dean of admission, is known to have said that it’s the students who make that school a special place. Many families fall for the illusory benefits of a “name” school and may encourage their children to apply to the most selective schools they can get into, with the hope that their children will become successful. In fact, students will become most successful at schools where they can grow from where they are, and graduate with a sense of agency, resilience and self-confidence.

 

When you look at kids who train very hard for a sport and don’t make it big, do you wonder why? Michael Phelps is arguably the best Olympic swimmer but if you look at his body you will notice his enormously wide arms and long hands. His body is made for swimming.

You could train faithfully every day, put in the 10,000 hours that Malcolm Gladwell says are needed to become an expert, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get to the Olympics. 

 

Commercials sell us many illusions. For example, advertisements for beauty products show models with perfect skin. Viewers may fall for the illusion that if they bought some such cream, they would gain smoother skin. But it’s all an illusion. Those models were born with good skin (and if they had a pimple, it would be expertly covered by makeup.)

 

Likewise, some students are “made” for Harvard or other selective schools. Note I said “made for,” which means they fit in there for various reasons. From where I sit, those applicants are high achievers academically, and have completed so many AP classes that they practically have a bachelor’s degree already. Theses students are academically talented and likely have some additional quality, or “hook,” that makes them stand out. For example, a former student of mine was the valedictorian and an athlete. 

 

When I visited Harvard in November, I noticed that quite a number of these students are interested in social studies and many will likely continue to graduate school. One was 80% sure that he loved history when he was in high school. When he got to Harvard, he became 100% sure that history was his thing. His professor amplified that passion in him that was already lit. I asked him what he would do with it, and he replied, “Become a professor.” I don’t come across many students who tell me right off the bat they would like to teach in college. Another student was a leader in her state student council association, working for racial justice, which was what she was passionate about doing. 

 

These students didn’t rise to the top because they wanted to get into Harvard. They did it because they were passionate about something and pursued it to the nth degree. If they didn’t get into Harvard, they’d be successful elsewhere. Harvard is not making them passionate or smarter. They were already smart and passionate to begin with.

 

These students are well-rounded but also have singularly developed some talent or characteristic that makes them stand out. They rank at the top of their class and are the kicker on the football team, and, have worked 15 hours a week to help pay the bills, and play an instrument at concerto level, or are already successful in a specific field such as research or acting.

 

Many expensive colleges tout their students’ success by listing their employment statistics and presenting a rosy picture of their future. Parents may buy into the illusion that a higher-ranked university may offer more opportunities to their children. In my experience, students need a safe space where they can learn at a pace that works for them, without being overly stressed. Students need to feel in sync with the vibes and culture of the campus. When they feel comfortable being who they are, they can develop a sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and will be able to reach their goals.

 

C. Claire Law, M.S. IECA Certified Educational Planner, is a Daniel Island resident who helps students identify their best-matched colleges. Visit eduave.com.