Common App: career plans question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: i heard about this on a podcast. I don't think its a "nothing" burger.

Make sure the description isn't generic (doctor) and adds something unique, creative or descriptive to narrative.

Oh FFS there are 7 million kids applying to college and they can't ALL have "unique and creative" career goals. In reality, hardly any of them will. The ones that say they are going to solve Huge World Problems like hunger or inequality are just BSing and colleges are obnoxious to encourage that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: i heard about this on a podcast. I don't think its a "nothing" burger.

Make sure the description isn't generic (doctor) and adds something unique, creative or descriptive to narrative.

Oh FFS there are 7 million kids applying to college and they can't ALL have "unique and creative" career goals. In reality, hardly any of them will. The ones that say they are going to solve Huge World Problems like hunger or inequality are just BSing and colleges are obnoxious to encourage that.

This only matters for holistic admissions with a narrative arc.

[Anonymous]

Reading stuff online today that it should be pretty detailed and niche, and your kid should choose "Other" to get the free text box to write in.

What did your kid put there? What was major?

https://ingeniusprep.com/how-to-choose-a-major-on-the-common-app-using-the-future-plans-section/

https://www.tiktok.com/@admitium/video/7318884017712139525

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid came up with something clever. There’s space in “other”

Like what?

Instead of lawyer/government, US Senator from __ state?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid came up with something clever. There’s space in “other”

Like what?

Instead of lawyer/government, US Senator from __ state?

Maybe choose a specific area of law that ties into their interests or ECs? IP law if they’re a creative, transactional law if they have a business edge, biotech or medical devices if they have a strong science background, education law if they have an interest in access/equity, non-profit governance if they’ve been involved with a NP in the community etc.

Of course, I agree with everyone above that this is completely insane!!! My DC is freaked out by the idea of storytelling about a desired career at age 17. So they may not go that route in their apps. But it is an extra opportunity to show “maturity” and depth of thought if a kid’s willing to go there.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. Sara H has said in the past kids shouldn't just list "doctor" but rather "A physician with Doctors Without Borders".

So, I'd imagine you want to put a humanitarian spin on your "traditional" career, assuming you have some humanitarian "spikes" in your application narrative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid came up with something clever. There’s space in “other”

Like what?

Instead of lawyer/government, US Senator from __ state?

Depending on what the school values. Might be different for each school. This is where knowing what the school values could be important.

For Penn for example, "United Nations Lawyer" or "Economist at World Bank" etc. works well given what they prioritize in admissions for arts & sciences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: i heard about this on a podcast. I don't think its a "nothing" burger.

Make sure the description isn't generic (doctor) and adds something unique, creative or descriptive to narrative.

How does one make 'undecided' clever and unique. So disingenuous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: i heard about this on a podcast. I don't think its a "nothing" burger.

Make sure the description isn't generic (doctor) and adds something unique, creative or descriptive to narrative.

How does one make 'undecided' clever and unique. So disingenuous.

Most say don't every say "undecided" - pick other, and then write something in.

[Anonymous]

Pick something memorable, specific amd niche tied to the application theme/narrative or hook.

[Anonymous]

I feel like a lot of suggestions seem so fake. I really doubt that one section is going to have any impact on the application at all, especially if people are using it to write 100 words. I'm not a fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading stuff online today that it should be pretty detailed and niche, and your kid should choose "Other" to get the free text box to write in.

What did your kid put there? What was major?

https://ingeniusprep.com/how-to-choose-a-major-on-the-common-app-using-the-future-plans-section/

https://www.tiktok.com/@admitium/video/7318884017712139525

I’ve seen this TikTok guys advice in a lot of places (Admitium). He has quite a following. Said this “career description” is critical for Stanford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading stuff online today that it should be pretty detailed and niche, and your kid should choose "Other" to get the free text box to write in.

What did your kid put there? What was major?

https://ingeniusprep.com/how-to-choose-a-major-on-the-common-app-using-the-future-plans-section/

https://www.tiktok.com/@admitium/video/7318884017712139525

TL/DR: Tell me what my kid should copy in order to be creative and unique.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading stuff online today that it should be pretty detailed and niche, and your kid should choose "Other" to get the free text box to write in.

What did your kid put there? What was major?

https://ingeniusprep.com/how-to-choose-a-major-on-the-common-app-using-the-future-plans-section/

https://www.tiktok.com/@admitium/video/7318884017712139525

TL/DR: Tell me what my kid should copy in order to be creative and unique.

Wouldn’t that depend on goals and major unique to your kid???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading stuff online today that it should be pretty detailed and niche, and your kid should choose "Other" to get the free text box to write in.

What did your kid put there? What was major?

https://ingeniusprep.com/how-to-choose-a-major-on-the-common-app-using-the-future-plans-section/

https://www.tiktok.com/@admitium/video/7318884017712139525

TL/DR: Tell me what my kid should copy in order to be creative and unique.

Exactly. It's all contrived.