Serena van der Woodsen: The "It Girl" and Her College Aspirations
Serena Celia van der Woodsen, a central figure in the Gossip Girl series, both in its novel form and its television adaptation where she is portrayed by Blake Lively, embodies the quintessential "it girl" of Manhattan. Her life, chronicled on the blog of the enigmatic "Gossip Girl," showcases a captivating beauty and charismatic personality that seemingly opens every door for her. While the series primarily focuses on her social life, relationships, and family drama, the topic of college and academic pursuits also arises, particularly regarding her potential attendance at Brown University and Columbia University.
Serena's Character and Academic Standing
Serena is depicted as a tall, blonde, slim, and beautiful teenager from the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Her striking appearance often leads others, particularly the girls at Constance Billard, to believe she relies on her looks to get ahead. Academically, Serena is not particularly skilled, and she is often reminded that she isn't meeting her full potential. This creates a point of contention with her best friend, Blair Waldorf, who works diligently for everything she achieves, while Serena appears to effortlessly attain success through her charm.
Her family background further highlights her privileged position. Her father runs a Dutch shipping firm founded by his ancestor in the 18th century, and her mother, Lillian van der Woodsen, is a socialite, art collector, and philanthropist. Both parents serve on the boards of major charities and art organizations, solidifying their status within New York City's elite circles.
Despite her exposure to the fashion world, Serena's style is described as effortless, lacking the meticulousness that Blair exhibits. She also has nervous habits like nail-biting and cutting split ends, often during class.
Serena's Relationships and Personal Struggles
Serena's return to Manhattan from boarding school sparks a rekindling of her rivalry with Blair. The reason for her return is her younger brother, Eric van der Woodsen, who attempted suicide. Her past actions, including a sexual encounter with Nate Archibald, Blair's boyfriend, further complicate her relationships. She also navigates a complex relationship with Dan Humphrey, a student from Brooklyn who offers a contrasting perspective on the lives of the wealthy Upper East Siders.
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Throughout the series, Serena faces numerous personal challenges, including her mother's engagement to Bart Bass, the revelation of her mother's past relationship with Dan's father, Rufus Humphrey, and the manipulative schemes of her former friend, Georgina Sparks, who exposes the real reason for Serena's earlier departure from Manhattan.
College Aspirations and Decisions
In the series, college becomes a point of contention and a source of personal exploration for Serena. Initially, Lily assumes that Serena is preparing to go to Brown University, but Serena decides to defer her admission, preferring to stay in the city and discover her own path.
Brown University
In the show, Serena, rather than Eric, applies and is accepted to Brown, but ultimately does not attend. In the show, Serena's mother attended Brown.
Columbia University
Later in the series, Serena enrolls at Columbia University, a decision that initially worries Blair, who fears a return to their high school rivalries. Serena's time at Columbia is marked by challenges, including attempts by Juliet to sabotage her reputation and academic standing.
Despite these obstacles, Serena perseveres and eventually finds her place, even dating her professor, Colin Forrester, who happens to be Juliet's cousin, leading to further complications.
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Other colleges
In the Gossip Girl books Serena goes to Yale at the end of the series.
Serena's Portrayal and Realism in College Admissions
Some critics argue that Serena's acceptance into prestigious universities like Brown and Columbia is unrealistic, citing her lack of academic focus and reliance on her socialite status. This criticism extends to other television characters whose college admissions seem implausible based on their portrayed abilities and achievements.
The competitive nature of college admissions, especially to Ivy League schools, is often downplayed in television shows, where characters seemingly gain acceptance with ease, often applying to only one school. The reality involves a rigorous application process, high academic standards, and extensive extracurricular involvement.
The show "Gossip Girl" has been criticized for its unrealistic portrayal of Yale University.
Serena's journey of self-discovery
Ultimately, Serena's college aspirations reflect her broader journey of self-discovery. She grapples with expectations, societal pressures, and her own desires as she navigates the complexities of young adulthood. Her decision to defer Brown and later enroll at Columbia represents her evolving understanding of herself and her place in the world.
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Serena's story serves as a reminder that college is just one aspect of a person's life and that true fulfillment comes from finding one's own path, regardless of societal expectations or academic achievements.
Serena as a publicist
Serena makes her time in New York useful by taking a job as a publicist, one that is short-lived as her relationships with both her friends and her family begin to erode. Her friendships with Blair and Nate crumble due to her job but she finds even more trouble when she falls for Nate's married congressman cousin, Tripp van der Bilt (Aaron Tveit).
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