Parents, you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Or just as likely, we’ve got questions and you’ve got answers.

Challenge: Open Discussion

If middle-aged me wrote a college admissions essay, this is what it would say

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Reject me.

I dare you.

Because I won't give up.

I'll work harder.

I'll work faster.

I simply

WILL

NOT

QUIT.

Chasing my dreams.

Chasing who I'm meant to be.

While loving who I am.

And being proud of all I've accomplished up to this point.

650 words in response to an essay prompt can tell you a lot.

But why say in 650 forced words what you can say voluntarily, very directly and in five.

"Reject me. I dare you."

And that's not a threat to you.

It's a challenge to me.

To step it up.

To forever just keep taking steps.

To get where I intend to go, no matter how slow.

To get where I need to go despite naysayers who think I can't, who say I won't.

To kick butt, but nobody's but my own because I fully realize that I AM MY ONLY COMPETITION.

Not any other folks.

Not now. Not ever.

And though one day I might make a living putting words to paper,
it's the words that each of us tell ourselves that really matter.

And, for good measure, if we can speak love and encouragement into other people, we'll really be succeeding.

Success can be marked as getting into your college of choice

landing that dream job or dream person,

or accumulating all the things that bring you joy.

OR,

-- and that's a big, fat giant OR that is calling you in its direction --

success can be defined as you never giving up on yourself,

always being your biggest cheerleader,

and cheering on others along the way.

——

[if 35-year-old me had to write a college entrance essay]


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