What Foundational Profile Development Really Means
If you think about an artist and their body of work, you know it has taken months and years to achieve the pinnacle piece they may be renowned for. I think of Albert Einstein, and how it wasn't really until after his death that he became known for all of his accomplishments in mathematics. I also think about LeBron James, who has grown through the NBA over 15 years and has a body of work that seems so unattainable, yet has been completed by him. What I think people fail to realize is that you, too, are creating a body of work with the experiences, passions, and perspectives that you have. If one is to take that same mindset, and realize that that is what sets you apart from others in the college admissions process, it changes the narrative and opens the door to different opportunities, because you have treated your life like a masterpiece and not single events.
When we think about college admissions, whether it's trade school or a bachelor's degree, something somewhere over a period of time has led you to this moment. When you start understanding that what you do early on builds to this culminating moment in your journey, you can start to piece together a masterpiece that's one of a kind.
Building this masterpiece is really essential, because it is the start of a strong application, portfolio, and resource for admissions officers across the world to see who you are and what you bring to the table. Higher education gets a bad rep that says their goal is to make everyone the same, but that's not true. I know that's not true because if you look at different campuses across the country, you can see how they all differ, whether geographically or demographically. Those differences in the student body, staff, and the diversity of programs and what they focus on is truly what makes every college campus different. I think about how Southeastern Conference schools are so different in their own way. Texas A&M is known for being the 12th man on the football field, and the Georgia Bulldogs are gonna ride to the very end for their team, win lose or draw (even in the pouring rain). The culture of every campus is different, and what you as a student might be looking for will be different.
I often emphasize to students and families that building a profile is essentially playing the long game. The best profiles are ones that show resilience and continuity, but also strength and effort, as well as piqued interest. I'll use myself as an example. I was a Girl Scout for over five years. I did not, however, enjoy the program as much as others I knew, but my operational mindset came from being a part of it. I started understanding logistics and price points when selling cookies, and also soft skills like communication and good customer service were built through this program. It also helped me gain leadership opportunities at school. It pushed me to try things like Fulton County Youth Commission, and it solidified my love of reading, because when I was tired from doing all of those things, I wanted to escape every day and be engulfed in a different world.
So, building a profile, a true foundational profile, is one that requires constant check-in and self-actualization. It also requires transparency to the point of no return, meaning that even in moments of extreme discomfort, you take the good to create the life that you want.
If you’re looking for support in building this strong foundational profile, I recommend my Foundational Profile Development service.
