What Makes a College Application Stand Out?

Your academic profile lays the foundation for your college application and is a prime opportunity to showcase your intellectual vitality. Above all, admissions committees care about the rigor of your high school curriculum. They want to see that you’ve challenged yourself by taking the most difficult classes available, such as:

Along with a rigorous course load, they’ll closely evaluate your grade point average (GPA) and look for an upward trend in performance if your grades wavered early on.

Standardized test scores on the SAT or ACT also remain an important factor for many colleges. While not everything, your scores provide an objective measure of your academic preparedness compared to other applicants. Top students often invest significant time preparing for entrance exams.

Beyond pure academics, admissions officers love to see evidence of your passion for learning. This could include independent research projects, published academic work, participation in subject-related competitions, or involvement with academic clubs or societies. Pursuing your interests outside the classroom reinforces your intellectual curiosity.

Now let’s talk about extracurriculars. Academics are likely your top priority, but admissions officers also want to see that you’ve pursued meaningful extracurricular activities and developed important skills outside the classroom. Your extracurricular profile showcases your interests, initiative, time management abilities, and potential to contribute to the campus community.

However, colleges aren’t merely looking for a lofty list of clubs and activities. They care much more about the depth and quality of your involvement over time. It’s better to concentrate your efforts on just a few key areas that you’re truly passionate about.

For example, an applicant who founded their own non-profit organization to address a cause they care about will likely make a bigger impression than someone who signed up for 10 clubs but didn’t take on any leadership responsibilities. Admissions officers want to see sustained commitment over four years of high school.

Some examples of compelling extracurricular activities could include:

Essentially, you want to construct an applicant profile that goes beyond just checking boxes. Tell a coherent narrative about the experiences, skills, and passions that have shaped your journey so far.

With so many highly qualified applicants to choose from, admissions officers are not just evaluating your abilities – they also want to admit students who will actually attend if accepted. That’s why it’s crucial to demonstrate your genuine, informed interest in each college or university.

There are many ways to show that you’ve gone beyond just submitting an application. Campus visits, sitting in on classes, meeting with faculty, and connecting with regional alumni interviewers – these are all great ways to deepen your understanding of an institution. The insight and enthusiasm you’ll gain will also help you craft thoughtful and specific supplemental essays.

For example, if you had an engaging conversation with a professor about their research during your campus tour, you could expand on your shared academic interests in your “Why This College?” essay. Specific references like this convey sincere excitement rather than just echoing the website.

Other ways to showcase demonstrated interest include:

Ultimately, you want there to be no doubt that if accepted to that institution, you plan to enroll. Your interest should be clear and backed by actions, not just words. Colleges want students who will thrive and actively get involved on their campuses.

By going the extra mile to immerse yourself in each college’s distinct culture and opportunities, you’ll be able to craft an application that shows you’d be an invested, enthusiastic member of that community. Demonstrated interest is an integral part of setting yourself apart.