How to Make Your College Apps Stand Out

When it comes time to start filling out those college applications, you’ll want to try your absolute best to have a unique one that will win over the admissions board. It can be hard to decide on what will work in your favor when getting your materials together, so make sure you’re choosing wisely and including things that will help you stand out among the crowd. 

Do Something Special

It’s pretty typical for most of the well-regarded schools to get tons of applications from students with a perfect GPA, top of their class, jaw dropping test scores, student government, AP classes, you name it. While all of these things are important factors in impressing the school of your dreams, you’ll need to think outside the box in order to really wow them. Do you kayak on the weekends? Are you an award-winning musician? Did you work three jobs to help your family during a tough time? Think about something that makes you special and try to incorporate that into your application. You are one of a kind and your college application should reflect that. 

Write an Amazing Essay

In order to stand out, write about a topic they haven’t seen before. Surely, the person reading essays all day gets tired of seeing the same thing over and over again. What is a unique experience for you, or a special goal you have for your future that other students probably don’t have? If you’re struggling to come up with something, try jotting down a bunch of ideas in a short brainstorming session, or sit down with a friend or family member to see if they can help you come up with any ideas. Be sure your essay is creative and well-written before submitting!

Go the Extra Mile

A lot of online applications will have a space for you to add supplementary materials to your application, aside from your essays and your resume. Think about creating a portfolio for your work, or submitting a video that showcases your talents and abilities. Maybe you directed a short film over the summer, or you were featured in a major news article for your volunteer work. Anything extra you might have that is applicable to your program will surely help your chances of getting in. 

Looking to craft a perfect college application? Get in touch with one of our college guidance experts.