609: Admission Nutrients (Part 3 of 6: Leadership): Important Ingredients for a Well-Balanced College Admission Process—And Life

In this episode of the podcast, Ethan interviews Deanna Dixon, the Dean of Admission at Smith College, about the qualities Smith looks for in applicants, focusing on leadership, initiative, and cultural competency. Deanna shares insights into Smith's admission process, including how the college evaluates positive character attributes and assesses cultural competency through application questions. She explains the importance of yield for colleges and discusses how Smith's supplemental essay questions reflect the college's institutional priorities, such as diversity and community engagement. The conversation also covers the role of leadership and initiative at a women's college like Smith, unconventional examples of student leadership, and the increasing prevalence of students writing about mental health in their essays, offering advice on how to approach such topics effectively. Deanna also shares her perspective on the use of ChatGPT in college essays and provides advice for students and families navigating the college admission process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and exploring a wide range of colleges.