A student posted on TikTok that he climbed Kilimanjaro, wrote about it in his college application essay, and got into Yale. Another student thought she could copy the same story and get the same result. That is the biggest mistake high-achieving students make: mistaking a unique feat for a unique essay. College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year. They spot gimmicks instantly. The real mistake is ignoring authenticity in favor of a story that sounds impressive but isn't personal.
The hook here is simple: copying someone else's winning essay strategy won't work. The lead: High-achieving students often fall into the trap of believing that an outsized accomplishment—climbing a mountain, starting a nonprofit, winning a national science fair—will guarantee an admissions offer. But according to admissions experts, the most common error is trying to replicate someone else's narrative. What makes an essay powerful is not the event itself but the applicant's unique reflection and growth.
Context: College admissions have become hyper-competitive. Students feel pressure to stand out. Social media amplifies success stories—like the Kilimanjaro climber who shared his Yale acceptance. Desperate for an edge, students latch onto these narratives. However, admissions counselors emphasize that a copied story reads as hollow. The student who climbed the mountain might have written a compelling essay about perseverance, but another student writing the same event will sound disingenuous.
Key details: The Forbes article highlights a specific case: a TikTok user boasted about his Kilimanjaro essay leading to Yale. Then a second student attempted the same tactic, likely without the same result. Lisa Chambers, the Forbes contributor, warns that this approach backfires. Admissions officers want to see the applicant's authentic voice, not a rehearsed hero's journey. The mistake is not the lack of achievement—it's the failure to reflect on one's own experiences meaningfully.
Analysis: This trend reflects a broader issue in elite college admissions: students treat the essay as a checkbox rather than a genuine piece of writing. Experts like those quoted by Chambers argue that authentic, introspective essays outperform manufactured ones every time. The implications extend beyond individual applications: it suggests that the system's emphasis on uniqueness may paradoxically encourage inauthenticity.
Outlook: As college admissions continue to shift with test-optional policies and holistic review, the essay's importance grows. Students who learn to reflect honestly on ordinary but personal experiences will have an edge. The next trend may be a backlash against formulaic essays, with admissions officers valuing vulnerability over grandeur. For now, the key takeaway is clear: do not try to be someone else on your college application. Be yourself—and write about what that really means.
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The Biggest Mistake High-Achieving Students Make On College Applications
A student bragged on TikTok that he climbed Kilimanjaro, wrote about it in his essay and got into Yale. Another student thought she could use the same ploy.
Lisa Chambers, Forbes Staff
Forbes
3 min read
5/10
Key Takeaways
- A TikTok user claimed he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, wrote his college essay about the experience, and was accepted to Yale University.
- Another student attempted to replicate this strategy by writing about the same mountain climb, illustrating the common mistake of copying others' personal narratives.
- Lisa Chambers, Forbes contributor, identifies this as the biggest essay mistake: prioritizing a unique accomplishment over authentic, self-reflective writing.
- College admissions officers read thousands of essays per cycle and can quickly detect stories that are not genuine or personally meaningful to the applicant.
- The most successful essays focus on the applicant's unique perspective and growth, not on the novelty of the event itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest mistake is copying someone else's unique story, such as climbing a famous mountain, rather than writing authentically about one's own experiences.
Students see viral success stories on social media, like a climber who got into Yale, and assume that replicating the same feat will yield similar results. But admissions officers value originality.
Focus on a personal experience that shaped you, reflect deeply on what you learned, and use your authentic voice. Avoid gimmicks or trying to impress with an external achievement.
Not necessarily. The problem is when the essay only describes the event without personal insight. A reflective essay about a common activity can be stronger than a flat account of a rare feat.
Social media spreads viral stories of successful applicants, tempting others to emulate their strategy. This creates a trend of inauthentic essays that admissions officers have seen many times.
Yes, writing about a failure can be powerful if you show growth, resilience, and self-awareness. Authenticity often comes from vulnerability, not from a perfect hero's journey.
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Original source
www.forbes.com
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