With many high school seniors (and their parents) in the throes of college application season, the NYT shares a few realities that will either make them feel better, or send them racing to rewrite their personal statement one more time. What Colleges Want in an Applicant (Everything). “Rejection stings. But say these words aloud: The admissions process isn’t fair. Like it or not, colleges aren’t looking to reel in the greatest number of straight-A students who’ve taken seven or more Advanced Placement courses. A rejection isn’t really about you; it’s about a maddening mishmash of competing objectives.”