Everyone tells you to "craft" a persona for your application. They tell you to polish your edges <DON’T>, hide your flaws, and maybe even bend the truth to fit the mold. I’m calling BS, RESPECTFULLY! Here is my take: A "perfect" application is a forgettable one! If you lie to get into a college, you didn't get accepted; your ghost did. And you’ll spend the next four years haunted by the need to keep up the act. Why being yourself is the only real "hack": - The "Vibe" Check: AOs read thousands of essays. They can smell a scripted lie from a mile away. But honesty? Honesty has a specific "frequency" that AI and ghostwriters can't replicate. - Your Culture Isn’t a Keyword: Don't use your background as a "diversity point." Own it as your worldview. The way you speak, the way you think, and the specific grit of your community is your actual edge. - The Power of the "No": Getting rejected for who you are is a mercy. It means that school wasn't big enough for your reality. Better to be rejected for who you are than accepted for who you’re not. The Goal: Don't write what they want to hear. Write what you need to say. If you’re going to be judged, be judged for the real you. Anything else is a waste of a seat. Disclaimer: I’m not an admissions officer. I’m not some "accepted student" with a secret formula, and honestly, I don’t even consider myself a great writer😭. I’m just an applicant for this year’s cycle (Class of 2026). I haven't even applied anywhere yet, but as I’m going through this process, I just wanted to share exactly what I’m feeling. See this as a brother telling you his POV. I want to hear from y'all, so share your opinion below! GOOD LUCK MY FELLOW BROTHERS! WE GOT THIS!

In Oromia, farmers struggle with sandy and clayey soils affecting sorghum growth. Inspired to help, I joined a Teen Research Program to study these soil types. With the guidance of my mentor, Professor Mulugeta Taye, I’m learning how soil properties impact crop yields. This research is vital for enhancing food security in our community, and I hope to inspire others to work towards a sustainable future for Oromia.

So guys what are u researching

Hello, my name is Rishab Jain, and I am the President of the International Research Olympiad. We have spent weeks assembling the following: - Funding to grow and scale - Social media templates - Club meeting slideshows - Curriculum/materials - Our large network of tens of thousands of students - … and much more In other words, we will make it extremely easy for you to create a research club at your school, or affiliate an existing club with us. In our 23+ page guidebook, we will walk you step by step through the process of creating a research club at your school. Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P7lshfP_WtwIy_rqoCk3_5aAbd9ftlj-3pH4FTC0LrU/edit?usp=sharing This is an EXCELLENT leadership opportunity for you -- we will help you reach thousands of students in your local area. But, be fast: Thousands of students will be starting research clubs in the next few days, and many students from your own school will fill out our forms. We will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. This means that if two students apply from the same school to become President of their Research Club, we will honor the first student's request, and encourage the second student to work as a Co-President or other leader in the club. Any questions? Ask in the thread below!