College Admissions: The 3 Things College Really Want
Monday, November 07, 2011
One: Passion
Two: Leadership
Being class president or the head of student government is a great accomplishment in the eyes of a college. Roles in which your peers elect you, show that you are a respected and trusted member of your school community. The way that you get the highest extra-curricular rating during the admissions process is to have several leadership positions. These might include being president of the Drama Society, French Club, Environmental Club, Debate Team, Mock Trial, Math Team, or any other organized group at school. Captain of a sports team is also a feather in your cap. Positions outside of school also count, whether you are the head tutor at your local synagogue or the founder of your own community service group. For students who must work and can’t participate in many extra-curricular activities, an upward progression of responsibility at an after school job can also be very impressive.
Three: Awards and recognition
This is perhaps the most elusive category. Depending on your school policy, there may not be very many awards or honors to glean. Book awards from colleges like Princeton or Yale catch an admission officer’s eye. Being a National Merit Finalist is considered very elite. Organizations like Model UN, Future Business Leaders of America and the National Forensic Society hold regional and national competitions where winners emerge. Science fairs are famous for recognizing promising research and discoveries. Colleges also love students who pursue opportunities to get their history, English or science papers published in national magazines like the Concord Review, The Claremont Review or The Empiricist. If your high school doesn’t have opportunities for you to gain recognition, you need only search the Internet for a venue that matches your talents and interests.
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