<p>I'm a senior who was admitted to my top choice college. However, I don't feel happy about it. I was not as honest in my college essays as I could have been.</p>
<p>I worked really hard for three years. I studied for the SAT, scored 2300+, and was valedictorian. I also worked hard at my extracurriculars, which I liked. I played a varsity sport for two years and won several awards in science and writing.</p>
<p>However, when college applications came around, I was feeling the pressure as many of you are now. I wrote some of my essays asking myself, "What do these colleges want to hear?"</p>
<p>That's the wrong question. You will not feel good if you write your essays that way, regardless of whether you are accepted or rejected. I learned this the hard way - through experience.</p>
<p>After reflecting, I also see this as an ethical responsibility. Yes, we are addressing faceless admission officers, but we should still write truthfully. Otherwise, we are taking the spot of someone who deserves it more.</p>
<p>In summary, I took the time to write this long post because I made an error in judgment, and I felt bad about it. If you present yourself truthfully in your application and essays, you can walk away from this journey in life with your head held high.</p>
<p>When you guys write your essays, ask yourself "What should I tell this college to get them close to who I am?"</p>
<p>Write your best, which is something truthful :). You really want to spend the next four years of your life at a place that accepted you for who you are. Good luck!</p>