The myth of the ‘perfect’ application:
how to turn weaknesses into strengths
with Dr. Shirag Shemmassian
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The myth of the ‘perfect’ application:
how to turn weaknesses into strengths
With the increasing competition to get into college, many students feel a tremendous amount of pressure to have a “perfect” application. But the truth is, every student has some less-than-perfect elements of their application. And this doesn’t have to disqualify them from getting into a competitive college or university! Despite being discouraged from applying to elite schools, Dr. Shirag Shemmassian personally overcame Tourette Syndrome to graduate debt-free from Cornell and UCLA with a B.S. in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He is now a college admissions expert who has helped hundreds of students get into top schools like Princeton and MIT.
In this interview, we will reveal why the “perfect” application is a myth, and how to turn your perceived weaknesses into strengths that can help improve your chances of admission. Join us to learn key insights every student needs to know before applying to college, including…
- How to choose the right classes…including the REAL answer to whether it’s better to get a “B” in an Honors or AP Class or an “A” in a Regular Class
- Why being “well rounded” can actually backfire, and what you SHOULD be doing instead
- What to include on the “honors and awards” section of your application
- How to build inside connections with top schools…even if no one in your family has ever been admitted there before
- Essential Do’s and Don’ts about how to address disabilities, learning differences, or other challenges in your college application
About Your Speaker
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is a college admissions expert who has helped hundreds of students get into top schools such as Princeton and MIT. He is also a former Cornell admissions interviewer.
Growing up with Tourette Syndrome in a middle class family, Dr. Shemmassian was often mocked by peers and teachers and discouraged from applying to elite colleges. Therefore, he taught himself everything he needed to know to graduate debt-free with his B.S. in Human Development from Cornell and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA.
Dr. Shemmassian has been featured on The Washington Post, NBC, and HuffPost, as well as been invited to speak at Stanford, Yale, and UCLA. He presents on topics including standing out on college applications, writing memorable personal statements, and navigating higher education with a disability.
Get Shirag’s FREE 91-page Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Get Into Your Dream School