Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
But why should one student be more remarkable than others who are just as qualified?
In this TEDx talk, Aneri Shah questions the assumption that an extensive collection of achievements is all one needs to be outstanding. Through the notion of “achievement confetti,” she examines the idea that numbers, certificates, internships, and extracurricular activities can be empty if there is no coherent story behind them.
However, Aneri proposes an alternative way to become “a solar system of capabilities,” where multiple qualifications revolve around a common purpose. She offers an easy to use one liner test that helps to understand who you are, what you are good at, and what you wish to change with your work.
Since being remarkable gets you noticed, while having a great story gets you remembered.
Aneri Shah is an educational consultant with over a decade of experience across the corporate, non-profit, and education sectors. She currently leads Boarding School Admissions at The Red Pen and also provides college counselling to students applying to leading universities around the world. Her work focuses on admissions strategy, global boarding school placements, and helping students build strong profiles for higher education. With experience in communication, management, and data analysis, she works closely with students and families to provide structured and personalised guidance throughout their educational journey. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
But why should one student be more remarkable than others who are just as qualified?
In this TEDx talk, Aneri Shah questions the assumption that an extensive collection of achievements is all one needs to be outstanding. Through the notion of “achievement confetti,” she examines the idea that numbers, certificates, internships, and extracurricular activities can be empty if there is no coherent story behind them.
However, Aneri proposes an alternative way to become “a solar system of capabilities,” where multiple qualifications revolve around a common purpose. She offers an easy to use one liner test that helps to understand who you are, what you are good at, and what you wish to change with your work.
Since being remarkable gets you noticed, while having a great story gets you remembered.
Aneri Shah is an educational consultant with over a decade of experience across the corporate, non-profit, and education sectors. She currently leads Boarding School Admissions at The Red Pen and also provides college counselling to students applying to leading universities around the world. Her work focuses on admissions strategy, global boarding school placements, and helping students build strong profiles for higher education. With experience in communication, management, and data analysis, she works closely with students and families to provide structured and personalised guidance throughout their educational journey. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
