How Being Kind Can Help Get Students Into College

As summer transitions into fall and students head back to school, many are looking ahead towards college admission requirements and submitting applications.  They are readying their quiver of accomplishments in order to meet the stringent requirements necessary for acceptance into the college or university of their choice.  As they prepare their schedules and fill their days with academic success and athletic prowess, students may want to also consider doing something kind for their neighbor, help the homeless, volunteer at a local animal shelter, or any other altruistic action that makes a difference for other people and makes them feel good.

Harvard Study Supports Being Kind
A new study from Harvard shows that being kind may be just as important to college admissions departments as doing well academically and athletically.  The study, Turning the Tide: Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good through College Admissions, advances a new, widely shared vision for college admissions. It makes the case that college admissions can send compelling messages that both ethical engagement—especially concern for others and the common good—and intellectual engagement are highly important.  The report states that the admissions process should value concern for others and the common good and describe what kinds of service, contributions, and engagement are most likely to lead to responsible work, caring relationships, and ethical citizenship.

The report offers three specific recommendations for college admissions:

1. College admissions offices should promote more meaningful contributions to others, community service and engagement with the public good
2. College admissions should assess students’ ethical engagement and contributions to others in ways that reflect varying types of family and community contributions across race, culture, and class
3. Universities and colleges can redefine achievement in ways that both level the playing field for economically diverse students and reduce excessive achievement pressure

The team at 21 Day Kindness Challenge applauds these new recommendations!

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