Lessons from "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant"

I want to share a book that has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant. This book, gifted to me by our founder, Jack Delehey, as a graduation present, quickly became one of my all-time favorites.

Jack considers it a top-five book in his life, and after reading it, I can see why. The lessons it offers about wealth, happiness, and decision-making are invaluable, not just in business but in life. Many of its principles align perfectly with the philosophy we embrace at CollegeConsulting.us.

One of the quotes that resonated most with me is:

At first glance, this may seem like a daunting challenge. How does someone become the best ? And what if the field is too competitive? But Naval isn’t advocating for competition in the traditional sense. Instead, he urges people to carve out a niche where they can be uniquely excellent - where their natural talents, acquired skills, and interests intersect. This is a powerful lesson for students navigating the college admissions process and beyond.

At CollegeConsulting.us, we operate with this mindset every day. We don’t just help students with college applications; we guide them in discovering their own "specific knowledge" - a concept Naval discusses extensively in the book.

1. Find and Develop Your "Specific Knowledge"

Naval defines specific knowledge as knowledge that is acquired through curiosity and passion rather than through formal education alone. It’s the type of knowledge that feels like play to you but looks like work to others.
For students, this is a critical insight. The most compelling college applications come from students who lean into their unique strengths and interests rather than trying to fit into a pre-defined mold. If you love political science and writing, maybe your "specific knowledge" is in policy analysis. If you are fascinated by AI and healthcare, maybe it’s in ethical medical technology. Whatever it is, discovering it early will set you apart.

We help students uncover and articulate their specific knowledge in their applications, essays, and extracurricular choices. Instead of crafting a generic application, we help students highlight the unique knowledge and experiences that make them exceptional.

2. Leverage

Another key concept from The Almanack is leverage - using technology, capital, or people to amplify your impact. Naval argues that true wealth is built by those who create scalable assets, not by those who trade time for money.

We take this lesson to heart. Rather than just offering one-on-one sessions, we’ve built an entire ecosystem of resources - webinars, essay guides, and curated newsletters (like this one) - to provide value to thousands of students at scale. Our goal is to give every student access to the best college consulting knowledge without being limited by the number of hours in a day.
For students, this lesson is equally relevant. Using leverage means finding ways to maximize the impact of your efforts.

3. Seek Long-Term Value Over Short-Term Wins

Naval emphasizes that true wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about building valuable assets that continue to serve you over time. This is exactly how we approach college admissions. The ultimate goal isn’t just getting into a prestigious university - it’s setting students up for long-term success.

We teach students not just how to craft a strong college application, but how to develop critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills that will serve them for years to come. We encourage students to pick colleges not based on rankings alone but based on the environments where they will grow and thrive.

Similarly, in your own pursuits, focus on creating value that extends beyond the immediate goal. A well-developed skill, a strong network, and a clear sense of direction will always serve you better than just checking off boxes on a resume.

Jack gave me The Almanack of Naval Ravikant because he knew it would shape the way I think about success, fulfillment, and impact. It has not only influenced my personal journey but also the way we run CollegeConsulting.us.

Every day, we help students apply these same principles, discovering their unique strengths, using leverage to amplify their impact, and prioritizing long-term value over short-term wins.

If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it. And if you’re a student trying to figure out what makes you stand out, we’re always here to help (just schedule a call)!

Best,
Melina Kazanas
Director of Email Marketing
CollegeConsulting.us

P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny.  Seriously.  College admissions isn't rocket science...but it is a science.  And we've cracked the code...year, after year, after year.  You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.

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