Matthew Used His Application as a Stage For Cornell Admissions

Matthew Merril’s case study is a masterclass in resisting the noise. In a world where college admissions can feel like a social arms race, Matthew chose to trust his own pace, his own interests, and his own gut. For anyone navigating peer pressure, prestige culture, or self-doubt, Matthew’s story is a critical reminder: you don’t have to fit the mold to thrive. You just have to find where you genuinely belong.