Playing Hard to Get in College Admissions | LIndsey Waters | TEDxGreenville

The recent College Admissions Scandal is not so much salacious news about the rich and famous, but more, it is a horrifying illustration of how obsessed we have become with “selective colleges.” As someone who has worked in College Admissions for twelve years, Lindsey can say without a doubt that the selectivity of a college does not equal the quality of education. Yet we have all trained our brains to think of elite colleges like someone playing hard to get.
How can we encourage students to expand their horizons while valuing the colleges that will admit them? Lindsey has worked in College Admissions for over twelve years, beginning her career at her alma mater, Furman University, where she served as a territory manager for students from Florida and the South Carolina Lowcountry, and supervised the Admissions Internship Program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Furman and her Masters of Education in Counselor Education, Student Affairs from Clemson University.
She is currently the Associate Director of College Counseling at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina where she also serves as an 11th grade advisor and co-teaches an elective course, The Pursuit of Happiness. She has presented at the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling annual conference for the past seven years, and is a member of the Miami University Counselor Advisory Board. She is a certified Jazzercise Aerobic and Dance Fitness instructor in Greenville and is expecting her first child with her husband in May. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Athena_Education]

This analogy is such a great way to think about college fit. Finding the right institution is almost like finding the perfect partner-you have to make sure your values and priorities align so you can both benefit mutually. Applying to all eight Ivies at once is a great indicator that you haven't reflected enough on your perfect college fit.

[@sg.melttt]

i needed this!!! it’s my senior year of high school. i was #1 in both 7th and 8th grade, and, since then, i’ve felt the expectation to be perfect and have perfect grades and go to some internationally renowned school. sometimes i think i’m the only one who really tricks me into believing that. i would l o v e to get out of mississippi if i could, but i found a really nice state university that would offer me full tuition and has a great program i’m interested in unlike the selective schools i’m looking at. i want to like the latter more because i’ve fallen into the trap. this ted talk was almost like a wake up call. i know it’ll be hard to break the habit of seeing selective = superior, but in these next months i’m going to remind myself that’s not the case. thank you!

[@keiti5673]

I applied to 21 graduate schools. So far, I have been rejected from 4 Ivy league schools, admitted to 4 other Universities and have received one full ride scholarship so far. I didn't receive a full ride for my undergrad, but I got a part ride to allow me to be able to go to college and I have worked hard to distinguish myself. I needed this Ted Talk, thankyou.

[@DaibooDimension]

Thanks, LIndsey Waters it's a great refreshing talk !

[@zaidfarooq03]

One of thr Most underrated talks

[@khanhcao3123]

My biggest mistake was college. Working in a career that doesn't require a degree. Wasted 5 years of my life and 40k.

[@valenciasantos8236]

was it a marketing career?

[@theotherway1639]

The book "Bad Biz: Your Guide to Starting a For Profit College" by Corin Devaso is an interesting read. It's satire that shows how some colleges scam.

[@sg.melttt]

i read “the overachievers” as part of my AP Lang class. it follows real students from around 2005 i believe and shows worldwide stats on how competition is ruining these high school years in which we should be having fun. these kids were sucked into the ivy league game. it’s an interesting read

[@daspov4709]

But hey Tedx is great and it's speakers are all awesome. 👍👍👍👍

[@Humphrey-hc8mh]

metaphorical comparison btn college admission and love...

[@daspov4709]

Truth to be told - just came here to post my comment. To see how much likes and interactions I'll have.