Mill and an Application

You always hear people praising individualism, but are there times when conformity is actually more beneficial?

Ross School of Business

As many high school seniors complete their college applications and many Michigan freshmen about to start applying to Ross, it seems a good time as ever to analyze the benefits of individualism and conforming respectfully. There are obvious advantages to being unique on your application, mainly being that you stand out to some degree, but there is a point where unique may do more harm than good. Read on to learn about the delicate balance of individualism and conformity that applications present.

When thinking about an application, the first thing you are told is to differentiate yourself in any way that you can, but there are basic qualities/activities that everyone seems to have. You could refer to these as a formula of sorts. Often times, people neglect to analyze why they are joining club A or taking class B. In our pursuit to be different we are mindlessly choosing activities because we are trying to get as many of the “right” activities on the list as we can. If you are trying to appear to be unique then you are likely the opposite.

The Handsome John Stuart Mill.

John Stuart Mill preaches individualism but doesn’t outright object to conformity when he writes, “He who lets the world, or his own portion of it, choose his plan of life for him, has no need of any other faculty than the ape-like one of imitation. He who chooses his plan for himself, employs all his faculties.” Though this may appear to be solely in opposition of conformity, it is merely in opposition of mindless conformity. If you analyze your actions and have a personalized justification for pursuing said action then Mill agrees with that action. Whether it be joining the norm or breaking away, as long as the decision is your own then you are acting in line with Mill.

Man Feeding Squirrel.

In terms of working towards an application, there are some things that the masses do that present an advantage over being totally unique. Take applying to Ross as an example; many people join as many business and leadership clubs as possible to demonstrate involvement. You may say to yourself “I’m going to join whatever club I want even if it’s completely unrelated because that will make me unique.” Now, I don’t know exactly how the evaluation process works or if I am completely wrong so remember that my hypothesis is a theory rather than a fact. Let’s say, while everyone is joining hall council and investment clubs you join the squirrel-feeding club and the poetry club because that’s what you enjoy. I would say that the person who is in the more business related clubs would have a comparative advantage even though he/she may be “conforming.” Though the squirrel person is being more of an individual, in terms of not following the norm, they are likely punished for that choice.

To clarify, the admissions staff isn’t going to punish you for joining the squirrel-feeding club because they hate squirrels for some reason, but there is likely an advantage to conforming (at least in this scenario). Going back to Mill, this action needs to be one that is made because you, as an individual, have analyzed it and declared it the right decision for you. If you simply join these clubs because it’s what you’re told will make you look unique and you actually have no interest in them, then it will likely be worse than doing your own thing even if it’s the “normal” path. When you are asked about your experience in club A it will be obvious whether you actually wanted to be in the club or if you were doing it purely for the application.

I am by no means putting down the merits of being unique and Mill’s idea of “freedom, and a variety of situations.” I simply mean to point out that there can be advantages to conforming. Especially on applications, conforming can sometimes give a slight advantage when the individual makes the decision to follow the norm because it happens to be the path right for him/her. Essentially, you most importantly need to be an individual by making the decision that is best for you but if that decision happens to take you through the “formula” then you are likely at a slight advantage.

Be Your True Self.

First and foremost, you need to portray your true self on an application, but keep in mind the goal. Don’t go against the norm just because you think it will make you totally unique and have a better chance of getting in. It’s the norm for a reason.

I wish you the best of luck with any applications that are in your future.