<p>Thank you, everyone, this is very helpful. My main character doesn’t need to go to Harvard, it can be any ivy league. I chose Harvard for the setting, but it can easily be Yale or Columbia or another that has an admin officer/dean interview process. The point is that she’s dreamed of going to xyz college for her entire life (she’s not an athlete). And she’s done everything possible to ensure her acceptance: first in her class, super high SAT scores, extra-curriculars, and so on. </p>
<p>Her interviewer informs her that she is there because her application is two-dimensional. Meaning, her resume doesn’t show any personality. Her extra-curriculars have clearly been chosen for there merit and not because of her interests in them. Over the course of the interview she fails to shed light on her true character and ultimately is denied admission. Or at least this is what I was planing to write. This is the catalyst for the story, so I am looking for believability. </p>
<p>Having never had a similar experience myself, I may post another related question 
Thank you again!</p>