by Sophia Parent ’24
As seniors finally hear back from college admissions and juniors are at the beginning stages of searching for colleges, the question remains… How does one stand out in a college application? Although grades are a huge factor in the acceptance process, there are millions of other ways to make your application stand out from the rest. An abundance of students will applying with the same, if not better grades as you, so what can you do to add that extra flare? Here are 6 ways to distinguish yourself in your college applications.
- Volunteer work
Although it may seem like colleges are only looking at academics, they are really looking for who you are as a person. They want you to be well-rounded. A great way to show the traits they are looking for is through volunteer work, and I’m not just talking about your service class! Colleges like to see you reach out and be a part of your community. They want to see that you’re interested in helping others and do it frequently. Enough hours of volunteering can really make a college look more into your application!
- Extracurricular activities and leadership roles
Participating in extracurriculars is a great way to show colleges that you are more than just your grades. Expressing interest in your school community and things other than academics looks really good on an application. They especially look for leadership roles. If you show your ability to be a leader in your club or community, it is a sure way to grab a school’s attention.
- Strong commitments to sports or other activities
Colleges love to see commitment. They love knowing that you can latch onto something and stick with it. That’s why being in a sport or arts group for a long period of time can really stand out. Even so much as being committed to a job for a long time can turn someone’s head. Joining clubs and then quitting the next year will not get you anywhere in the college process. Sticking with those clubs and showing active participation is what’s going to make your application shine.
- Letters of recommendation
Obviously enough, letters of recommendation are a perfect way to make your application whole. Hearing what other people have to say about you can help schools determine what kind of person you are in the real world. Make sure to get those recommendations in because they play a big part in the college application process.
- Taking a foreign language
You may not think taking a foreign language is important on your college application, but it can actually halp a lot. Colleges love to see at least 2-3 years of a foreign language on your transcript, especially if you aim to travel abroad. Most colleges require it. Although 3 years can be enough, if you really want to make sure your application is accepted, 4 years of a foreign language, and passing grades in them, is a great way to make colleges do a double-take.
- Your college essay
Although this seems like a given, your college essay is probably the most prominent way for a college to get a feel for who you are and really attract them to your application. Having a strong, well written essay can make all the difference according to La Salle’s very own college counselor, Mrs. Cronin. Making it descriptive, emotional, and tying it in to who you are can really be a turning point for colleges.
Of course, these are just some of the many things you can do to distinguish yourself in a college application, but all of these are very, if not the most important factors other than your GPA and test scores on an application. Make sure to try and check all of these boxes before you apply to colleges because they can really make a difference in your college journey!