Authenticity Is Part of College Fit

In today’s world, many students are asking a version of the same question: Is it still safe to be fully myself in my college essays?

That question can feel especially urgent for students whose identities are being debated, misunderstood, or politicized in the broader culture. In such a tense climate, some students worry that writing honestly about identity, community, or lived experiences could hurt their odds.

I’m sure we can all agree that our role as independent educational consultants (IECs) is not to tell every student to write an identity essay. However, I think it’s just as important not to always steer them away from one. I would like to think that our role is to ensure that students do not feel pressured into self-erasure. If a student’s religion, queerness, race, ethnicity, language, family story, or other experiences are central to how they understand themselves, then I believe it is a valid subject for a college essay—if they want to write about it, of course.

While we often have to read between the lines when it comes to what colleges say, I feel colleges are generally telling the truth when they say they want authenticity. MIT tells applicants, “Be honest, be open, be authentic.” University of Iowa says, “Don’t write what you think colleges want to hear. Write in your own voice and let your personality show.” They also make the point that the essays that stand out are the ones that “feel real.”

That being said, authenticity and overexposure are not the same thing. Students should set boundaries and feel completely comfortable with their topic. They are never obligated to disclose trauma, explain identity for an outside audience, or make themselves vulnerable on command.

This is where it’s important to note that there is a meaningful difference between choosing privacy and editing out something because of fear. When a student starts asking, “Should I hide this part of myself even though it is central to my story?” the conversation is no longer just about essay strategy. It is about belonging.

This is also where the idea of “fit” becomes more than a slogan. Notably, NACAC specifically encourages students to consider safety, support services, campus climate clues, and outcomes. Ultimately, I’d say a college is the right fit if a student can learn, contribute, and belong there without minimizing core parts of who they are.

All that to say, if a Jewish student wants to write about being Jewish (whether that has to do with rituals, history, community, antisemitism, joy, resilience, or something totally different), that should not be treated as a liability to manage. The same is true for any other student who wants to write about how they were shaped by any part of their identity and community. If a college cannot receive that truth with openness, then it is fair to question whether that institution is a good long-term match for that student.

As IECs, we are helping students find places where they can thrive. That’s why it’s important to remember that authenticity is not separate from fit; it is usually one of the clearest ways to discover it.

By Lindsay Augustine, IECA (GA), Member, IECA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Committee