With so many different clubs, sports and programs offered in school, it can be difficult to evaluate what exactly will help in the long run. With every club being marketed as “great for a college resume,” it’s important to understand what colleges are actually looking for in students.
Of course, grades and class rank are a large factor that determine which colleges a student will be accepted to, but grades aren’t the end by any means. Extracurricular activities and competition teams are often a great way applicants separate themselves from the average student and garner more attention from colleges.
Colleges often list desirable components for applicants on their website which can help students understand exactly what they should prioritize in high school in order to get into the college they want. A common misconception is students need to cram their schedule with tons of extracurriculars and classes in order to get into a good college. While it is important to have a wide variety of different activities, colleges are more focused on the quality than the quantity. According to BigFuture College Board, colleges are less interested in the number of activities a student participated in, and more interested in what they’ve learned and how they’ve grown from participating in them.
Another often overlooked attribute colleges look for in applicants is character. Colleges want to see that a student’s character traits and values mesh well with the atmosphere and philosophy of the school. Princeton University’s official website states that beyond simply the statistics found in a student’s file, they want to know who the student is as a person. They want to know an applicant’s story and what’s special about them. While not every college will look for the same qualities in a student, this example gives a rough idea of what universities want to see in an applicant.
One of the key ways colleges judge a student’s character is through the essays they must write as part of the application process. College essays are one of the best ways that students can convey their personal experiences and their ability to communicate in their own words.
To conclude, colleges look at many aspects of an applicant when deciding whether or not they will be accepted. Along with grades and class rank, colleges also pay attention to an applicant’s extracurriculars, character traits and personal qualities. There is no set criteria that needs to be met in order to be admitted into a good college. However, pursuing academic excellence, participating in extracurricular activities and building strong personal qualities are key ways to stand out in the crowd.
