In my years as a college admission counselor, I’ve noticed a troubling pattern among students and their families: the trophy collection mentality. 

They approach the college application process like they’re building a trophy case, collecting prestigious activities, brand-name summer programs, and impressive-sounding titles to display for admission officers. Parents proudly share that their child attended Stanford’s summer program, started three clubs at school, and holds leadership positions in five different organizations. Students frantically search for the “right” volunteer opportunities that will look good on applications.

But here’s what many families don’t realize: admission officers can spot the difference between authentic achievement and manufactured prestige from a mile away.

The Natural Human Desire for Recognition

Before you feel defensive about wanting recognition for your hard work, let me be clear: there’s nothing wrong with seeking acknowledgement for genuine accomplishments. 

And the anxiety you feel about building an impressive college application is completely natural. Every parent wants their child to succeed, and every student wants to present their best self to their dream schools. The challenge lies in understanding what truly impresses admission officers versus what merely looks impressive on the surface.

Authentic Achievement vs. Manufactured Prestige

woman on college campusHere’s where cultural anthropology offers us valuable insight into the college admission process. Cultural anthropologists have long studied how societies recognize and reward meaningful contributions through what they call “earned prestige”—respect and recognition that comes from demonstrating real skill, making authentic contributions, or mastering something genuinely difficult. The recognition isn’t instant; it’s built through consistent effort and authentic engagement.

The same principle applies to college applications. Admission officers at highly selective universities have developed a keen sense for distinguishing between students who have earned their accomplishments through genuine interest and sustained effort versus those who have collected activities for the sole purpose of impressing colleges.

Consider two students: 

  • Sarah has spent three years gradually taking on more responsibility in her school’s environmental club, eventually leading a successful campaign to reduce plastic waste that saved her district $30,000 annually. 
  • Jake has attended five different summer programs, holds leadership titles in four clubs he rarely attends, and started a nonprofit that exists mainly on paper. 

Sarah’s efforts demonstrate earned prestige—recognition that flows naturally from sustained, authentic engagement. Jake’s resume shows manufactured prestige—a collection of status symbols that lack depth or genuine commitment.

The Path to Genuine Recognition

Rather than asking “What activities will impress colleges?” start asking “What genuinely interests me, and how can I explore it more deeply?” 

Earned prestige in the college admission context comes from demonstrating authentic curiosity, sustained engagement, and real impact—whether that means you’re becoming genuinely skilled at something, solving a problem that matters to you, or contributing meaningfully to your community.

Of course, this might mean spending two years deeply engaged in robotics rather than surface-level participation in six different STEM activities. It could mean working a part-time job to support your family while maintaining strong grades—something that demonstrates real responsibility and time management skills. Or it might mean pursuing an unconventional interest with genuine passion, even if it doesn’t seem “impressive” to others.

The key is authenticity over accumulation. 

Admission officers can tell when your achievements flow naturally from your interests and circumstances versus when they’ve been strategically assembled for their approval.

Your Next Step Forward

Instead of chasing status symbols or trying to reverse-engineer the “perfect” application, focus on building earned prestige through genuine engagement with the opportunities available to you. Trust that authentic achievement—even in unexpected areas—will resonate more powerfully with admission officers than a carefully curated collection of impressive-sounding activities.

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Understanding the difference between earned and manufactured prestige can transform how you approach the college application process. If you’d like guidance on identifying and developing your authentic interests into compelling application materials, I’d be happy to help you navigate this journey. Please feel free to contact me to discuss how we can showcase your genuine achievements effectively.