When it comes to memorability, we believe that there is a sweet spot that lies at the intersection of novelty and familiarity. This is true for many (if not most) successful products and services, but it’s also oddly enough applicable to college applicants.
People are attracted to things that are new and unique, but also familiar enough that they don’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated. A lot of research backs this up and sites like “Everything is a Remix” highlight that creativity and new stuff happens when artists, creators, or literally anyone, mixes the old with something new. The same is true for college applications. Admissions committees are looking for individuals who stand out from the crowd, but also possess qualities that align with their institutional values and goals and somehow ring ‘familiar’ as an applicant who will be successful on their campus. How you tell this story, and the best way to be remembered is to play into these psychological preferences. In the book