Game of College Admissions: A Metaphorical Guide Using George R.R. Martin's World of Westeros

As someone with a deep love for fantasy stories, I've always been captivated by the intricate worlds and epic journeys crafted by authors like George R.R. Martin. Recently, I've been looking for ways to combine my interests in education and fantasy. Given the current popularity of Max's "House of the Dragon," I thought it would be fun and insightful to draw parallels between the world of Westeros and a process many of us have gone through or will go through—applying to college. So, let’s embark on this metaphorical journey together, exploring how the quest for college acceptance can be likened to the adventures of leading a noble house in Westeros.

Let's Set the Stage: You, the Student, Are the Head of a New House

Imagine yourself in the world of Westeros, not as a knight, but as the head of a new house. As the head, you have complete control over your house's banner, motto, and house words. This stage is crucial for self-exploration and branding, as you must decide how you want to present yourself to the other houses of the realm.

Creating Your Banner and Motto

Self-Exploration Process:

• Defining Your Identity: Just as each noble house in Westeros has its own distinct identity, you need to define who you are. What are your core values? What qualities do you want to convey to others? This is where the self-exploration process begins.

• Designing Your Banner: Your banner is a visual representation of your house. Think about what symbols, colors, and imagery best represent your personality and aspirations. Do you want to convey strength, like the lion of House Lannister? Or perhaps insightfulness, like the direwolf of House Stark?

• Choosing Your Motto and House Words: Your motto and house words are a powerful statement of your values and mission. They should reflect your core beliefs and guide your actions. For example, House Stark's "Winter is Coming" emphasizes vigilance and preparedness, while House Targaryen's "Fire and Blood" highlights passion and determination.

Marketing Yourself:

• Branding: Just as houses in Westeros market themselves to form alliances and gain influence, you must brand yourself to appeal to colleges. Your personal brand will influence how admissions officers perceive you and determine your ability to form alliances (acceptance letters) with various institutions.

• Strategic Alliances: Your brand will play a significant role in who you are able to form alliances with. A brand that conveys strength might appeal to competitive universities, while a brand that emphasizes modesty and insightfulness might resonate with liberal arts colleges.

Influencing Your Outcome:

• Support and Influence: The way you brand yourself will impact who supports you and your ability to influence your outcome. A strong, clear brand will attract the right supporters and help you stand out in the competitive world of college admissions.

• Long-Term Goals: Think about your long-term goals and how your brand aligns with them. Your personal brand should not only help you get accepted into college but also set the foundation for your future career and personal growth.

Your banner, motto, and house words are more than just symbols; they represent your personal brand. A strong, clear brand will make you memorable to admissions officers and help you stand out in the competitive world of college admissions.

By carefully crafting your banner, motto, and house words, you establish a strong foundation for your college application journey. This self-exploration process is essential for understanding who you are and how you want to present yourself to the world.

Choosing Your Alliances: Finding the Right College

In Westeros, the noble houses each have their own strengths, values, and territories. Similarly, colleges have unique characteristics that make them a good fit for different students. Finding the right college is like pledging your allegiance to a house that best aligns with your personal strengths and aspirations.

House Stark: The North Remembers

Stark House Sigil

In the cold, harsh lands of the North, House Stark is known for its resilience, loyalty, and honor. The Stark family’s motto, "Winter is Coming," serves as a reminder of the importance of preparation and vigilance.

• College Equivalent: Seek out colleges with strong community values, rigorous academics, and supportive environments. These are schools where integrity and perseverance are highly valued, much like the Stark family.

• Example Schools: Liberal arts colleges or institutions with strong honor codes and tight-knit communities, such as Swarthmore College or Haverford College.

House Lannister: Hear Me Roar

Lannister House Sigil

House Lannister, with its wealth and power, represents strategic thinking and influence. Known for always paying their debts, the Lannisters value financial acumen and status.

• College Equivalent: Look for prestigious universities with abundant resources, networking opportunities, and competitive environments. These schools offer the prestige and power that the Lannisters command.

• Example Schools: Ivy League schools or top-tier research universities, such as Harvard, Princeton, or Stanford.

House Targaryen: Fire and Blood

Targaryen House Sigil

House Targaryen, known for its passion and ambition, embodies the spirit of innovation and overcoming adversity. With their dragons and fiery spirit, they represent boldness and creativity.

• College Equivalent: Innovative schools with strong programs in technology, arts, and entrepreneurship. These institutions encourage boldness and creativity, akin to the fiery spirit of the Targaryens.

• Example Schools: Universities known for their innovation and dynamic campus life, such as MIT or Caltech.

House Tyrell: Growing Strong

Tyrell House Sigil

House Tyrell is noted for its diplomacy, growth, and influence. With their seat at the fertile Highgarden, they are masters of strategy and alliances.

• College Equivalent: Universities with strong international programs, diverse student bodies, and opportunities for leadership. These schools provide a fertile ground for growth and influence.

• Example Schools: Schools with extensive study abroad programs and leadership development opportunities, like Georgetown University or the University of California, Berkeley.

(My coworkers in admissions used to liken me to Lady Olenna Tyrell—a character celebrated for her wit, sass, and love of her family.)

Preparing for Battle: The Application Process

Just as Lords and Ladies prepare for battle with strategic planning and meticulous preparation, students must approach the college application process with similar dedication. Each element of your application is a piece of your army, designed to protect and enhance your chances of success. Before you can send your ravens (applications) to secure your alliances (acceptance letters), you have to make sure the terms of your deal are winning for both sides. What will you offer? What will they have to give you in exchange? Is this a fair bargain?

Gathering Your Knights: Letters of Recommendation

In the realm of college admissions, you, the head of your house, need strong support from various knights with different skills. These are your recommenders, each playing a crucial role in your quest.

• Choose Wisely: Just as a head of house selects trusted knights, choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths. These are your bannermen, standing beside you in your quest.

• Strong Support: Seek out teachers, mentors, or leaders who have witnessed your dedication and achievements and have bought into your mission and vision. Their endorsement can be powerful, much like the unwavering support of loyal knights.

• Diverse Perspectives: Include recommendations from different aspects of your life to show a well-rounded character, much like a head of house gathering support from various regions. These diverse perspectives will showcase your multifaceted abilities and strengths.

Strong letters of recommendation can provide powerful endorsements of your abilities and character, significantly boosting your application.

Forging Your Armor: Crafting a Strong Personal Statement

• Show Your True Self: Like the armor that reflects a knight’s identity, your personal statement should reflect who you are and what you stand for. Be genuine and let your personality shine through.

• Be Authentic: Share your unique story, challenges, and aspirations authentically. Your journey, like a knight's quest, should be compelling and sincere.

• Highlight Your Growth: Discuss your growth and how your experiences have prepared you for college, just as a knight hones their skills through trials.

An authentic personal statement allows admissions officers to see the real you, making your application more compelling and memorable.

Strategizing Your Moves: Extracurricular Activities

• Quality Over Quantity: Just as knights are known for their specialized skills, focus on a few meaningful activities rather than spreading yourself too thin. Depth is more important than breadth.

• Leadership and Impact: Highlight leadership roles and the impact you’ve made in your communities. Your actions, like a knight’s deeds, should speak of your valor and commitment.

• Balance and Passion: Engage in activities that reflect your passions and interests, showing that you are a well-rounded and dedicated individual.

Extracurricular activities showcase your commitment, leadership, and passion, providing a fuller picture of who you are beyond academics.

Each element of your application is crucial for presenting a well-rounded and compelling case to admissions officers. By preparing diligently, you can ensure that your application reflects your strengths and potential.

Sending Your Ravens: Crafting and Submitting Your Applications

Before you can send your ravens to secure your alliances, you have to make sure the terms of your deal are winning for both sides. What will you offer? What will they have to give you in exchange? Is this a fair bargain? A clear and cohesive application ensures that your message is effectively communicated, making it easier for admissions officers to understand your strengths and potential.

• Crafting Your Message: Just as a raven carries an important message, your application should clearly convey your strengths, achievements, and aspirations. Make sure your application materials—essays, recommendations, transcripts—tell a cohesive and compelling story.

• Highlighting Mutual Benefits: Consider what you bring to the college community and how the college will help you achieve your goals. Highlighting this mutual benefit will make your application more appealing.

• Ensuring Fair Terms: Before submitting your application, ensure that the college offers what you need in terms of academics, support services, campus culture, and financial aid. This is your way of ensuring the terms of your deal are fair and beneficial.
  

By carefully preparing each element of your application and ensuring a fair bargain, you, as the head of your house, set yourself up for success in the competitive realm of college admissions. This strategic approach will help you secure alliances that are beneficial and supportive, just like the alliances formed by the noble houses of Westeros.

Building Your Legacy: Making Your Decision

The final stage of your quest is making the decision about which college to attend. Selecting who to align yourself with is akin to declaring your allegiances for any future endeavors. This is the moment when you, as the head of your house, choose your allies for the battles ahead and begin to build your legacy.

The Great Council: Comparing Your Offers

Much like a king or queen would consult their council for important decisions, you should seek input from trusted advisors to help make your final choice. As your house Maester, I am here to support you through these crucial decisions.

• Evaluate Fit: Like choosing an alliance, consider which college offers the best fit for your academic and personal growth. Look at factors like campus culture, academic programs, and support services. Your council here might include your Master of Whisperers (counselors, teachers, or mentors) who can provide you with inside information and advice on each option.

• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Assess the financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities to make an informed decision. The Master of Coin (a financial aid advisor or a knowledgeable family member) would advise weighing the costs and benefits carefully to ensure the financial terms are favorable and sustainable.

• Long-Term Goals: Think about your long-term goals and which college aligns best with your aspirations. Your Hand of the King (or Queen) could be a career counselor or a trusted mentor who understands your aspirations and can help you see which institution will best support your future endeavors.

The Coronation: Committing to Your College - the end of your College Admissions journey

• Celebrate Your Achievement: Once you’ve made your decision, celebrate your hard-earned success like a lord or lady sealing an alliance. Share your joy with family and friends.

• Prepare for the Journey Ahead: Start preparing for your college life by connecting with future classmates, attending orientation, and planning your move. Equip yourself for this new adventure with the enthusiasm of a knight embarking on a new quest.

Navigating the college admissions process as the head of a house in Westeros requires strategic planning, careful decision-making, and strong alliances. By approaching this journey with the wisdom and guidance of a seasoned Maester (like myself), you can ensure that your path leads to success and fulfillment. Each step, from gathering your bannermen to securing your alliances, plays a crucial role in building your legacy and achieving your goals.

Are you interested in how the families of Westeros might approach applying to colleges? 

Would you like to explore more about college admissions through the lens of Westerosi schemes and plots? Let me help you navigate these decisions and guide you on your quest for influence and success.

Set up a free phone call with me to discuss how I can support you on your journey. Together, we can strategize and secure the best possible outcomes for your college admissions process.

Remember, you don’t want to leave the legacy of your house to fate. Take control of your destiny!

Signed, 

Dr. Tamara Minott

First of Her Name

Seeker of Knowledge

Wielder of the Quill

Counselor of Admissions

One Who Thinks and Knows Things