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I feel like I'm not doing enough. What should I do?

Is there any advice or tips on what I should do to make my college application stand out more I just feel like lately I haven't been doing anything impressive or captivating for college admission to be impressed about.

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Karolina’s Answer

Hi Cathy,
I want you to know you're not alone. Even as a college senior, I still catch myself wondering if I’m doing enough. That feeling usually means you care deeply about your future, and that’s already something admissions committees value more than you think. College applications aren’t just about having one impressive story (I thought this too). They care about your overall story, your growth, your effort, and how you’ve used your time to prepare for what’s next. If you're considering finance as a major, this is the time to explore the field and what's expected in college like courses, projects, soft skills, and internships. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, or even reach out to someone studying or working in the field. It’ll help you confirm your interest and give you the language to use in your essays. Colleges love that.

It's not always easy to know exactly what to do, but if you feel like your application needs more, ask yourself, What do I enjoy? What makes me curious? That’s where your most meaningful involvement will come from. You can strengthen your application by some examples I thought of:
1. Volunteer with an organization you care about (even one day a week makes a difference)
2. Start a fun club or community event over summer that others can join. This demonstrates your leadership and creativity, especially if its toward finance or entrepreneurship services
3. Start a small project, like a personal experiment, helping someone organize their budget, then reflect on what you learned. You can even compare it to how bigger companies manage finances to show your interest in the bigger picture
4. Apply for a part-time job that reflects finance related skills, like retail, sales, or tutoring math
5. Ask for unpaid shadowing opportunities at an accounting firm or tax office to see the day-to-day atmosphere of the job. Shadowing is considered incredibility valuable to your professional growth and adds real world exposure to your intended major. This would look great on your application.

What matters most isn’t perfection, but being authentic and intentional with your personal journey. Admissions teams read thousands of applications, so highlight your progress, show what your care about, and keep growing personally and professionally. Curiosity and effort are what truly stand out. That alone is captivating.

Rooting for you always,
Karolina
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice i'll definitely start putting into good use! Cathy
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Jatinder’s Answer

You can ask yourself a few questions to help yourself there:
1. What have you done to help someone over the past year? It does not have to be a registered volunteering activity that comes with a certificate. It shows who you are outside the requirements of the world around you.
2. What do you enjoy doing the most with your free time? What have you learned from it? This shows how willing you are to step outside the box you live in day-to-day, and how you make the most of your time.
3. What would you do if you could do anything and money was not an issue? Are you pursuing that passion in some way already? This shows how far you are willing to dream for yourself, and perhaps for others, and your ability to get started and keep going just because you want to.
Start there and you will find that you are already a lot different from others than you may think. Good luck!
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Haylie’s Answer

Hi Cathy,

Focus on quality over quantity. It's important to learn from experiences and make a real impact. Look for volunteer opportunities where you can show your project management skills, leadership, and passion for what you enjoy. Your academic performance matters more than having a long list of activities. A college counselor can also help you find colleges that match your skills and interests. You've got this!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for this incredible advice! Cathy
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Tiana’s Answer

Hi Cathy!

I want to echo what a lot of people have already shared. You shouldn't worry too much about the amount of Extracurriculars that you are doing, but more about the quality and doing things that you truly believe in. Colleges will look at you in a holistic way - not in a secular one area.

I would look at your entire experience and try to match colleges that match your stats. I would also advise meeting with your college counselor to gauge what would be a best match for you.

While you say you don't have anything captivating for colleges to see, it's all about how you frame items. You can frame anything to be interesting for readers to see and read.

I wish you all the best in your college applications!! You got this!!

Best,
Tiana
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the support! Cathy
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Lisa’s Answer

When creating a resume or searching for a job, focus on the impact you made, not just the number of tasks you did. Highlight your achievements, like solving problems or offering creative solutions. If you're unsure about your impact, ask colleagues how they've seen you make a difference.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice, Lisa. Cathy
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Mikaela’s Answer

To be honest you are probably doing enough in the first place. There is only so much control you can have over where you go and it's not worth the time thinking of every last thing to differentiate. I would say get your applications in and then use this time to have fun in the classes you enjoy. I learned so much senior year of high school and got the chance to really focus on my friends and growing up. If you spend to much time worrying about things that are out of your control, you are going to miss this time. I would take the time to also set some goals in college and outline new things you want to try because that is what college is all about. You have your entire lift to switch majors, jobs, careers and people do it all the time.
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Christina’s Answer

I think is a question sooo many of your fellow high-school students can relate to! In today's age, the college application process can feel like a race to get as many things on your resume as possible, and you students have plenty on your plates already!!

One piece of advice I got in high school that really stuck with me was to focus on making yourself seem like a real person in your application. College admissions officers are not looking for a 10/10 application, they are looking for an actual person they would want to bump into on their campus! In all that you do for your application, focus on being true to yourself, authentic, and transparent.

There are two ways I recommend you do this:
- In your college essay, write something creative and truly personal. Think outside of the box and write about something that might catch the eye of your admissions counselor. Tie in lessons you've learned from your family and friends.

- For extra-curriculars, think about what you love doing or that brings you energy. Then think -- is there a way to either:
A) Turn this into a job? Like, can you sell something you enjoy making? Can you get other people to make and sell it with you?
B) Seek out a leadership opportunity from it? If you love being in the school band or love a class in particular, could you put together a band social activity? Offer to be a classroom assistant for that teacher? Could you start and lead a club for a favorite hobby or activity?
C) Share it with others in service?
All of a sudden, it's not a chore to get something on your resume, rather you take something you already love and make it something that helps you stand out on your resume!
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Stephanie’s Answer

Hi Cathy,

I know college applications can be overwhelming, but I think most colleges are just looking for something that describes an authentic version of yourself. Apart from any credentials you have, they want to know what makes you, you. What interests/hobbies do you have? Was there a big moment in your life, good or bad, that has an impact on who you are today? What are you passionate about (this is different from interest hobbies, maybe a topic like AI, climate change, sustainability, etc.)?

Apart from that, you may also want to do a little research on the college you're applying to and then see if there's a specific aspect of that college that really interests you and incorporate that into your application.

Lastly, it never hurts to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT for advice like looking for "hot" words for college applications to include, asking them to draft something for you that you can tweak to make it more personal. If using AI tools, please ALWAYS make sure to review and make it your own.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

- Stephanie

Stephanie recommends the following next steps:

Make a list of interests/hobbies or unique things that make you, you
Research colleges, what stands out to you about each
Leverage an AI tool like ChatGPT to help draft language for your application
Review and modify to make it more personal and unique to you
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Anna’s Answer

Hi Cathy! There may be extracurricular hidden gems in your school you may not know about. Colleges of course like to see leadership experience, but they also like to see depth of who you are and what drives you-- it doesn't just have to be all academic clubs all of the time (although balance is important)! Do you like to sing? Join a choir and offer to help out with leading a rehearsal or preparing music! Do you like dance? See if there is a dance team at school you can join and offer to help with choreo or performance logistics! I would start with chatting with other students with different interests at your school and ask what clubs they are apart of. I also highly encourage leaning on your teachers as well, as many of them most likely serve as advisors for these clubs. Find something that interests you, but also push yourself out of your comfort zone if you hear of something you've never done/heard of before. This could be an opportunity for growth and learning something new about yourself.

Once you find a club(s) you are able to join, ask yourself "How can I also contribute to this group?". Do they need help with any event planning or setup? Material preparation? Outreach help? Do they have different leadership positions you are interested in? Put yourself out there and offer your helping hand to build on your leadership roles within these clubs. Hope this helps!
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Dana’s Answer

Hello! You've already received some great advice. Remember, it's not about doing a lot, but about doing it well. Most importantly, have fun with what you're doing. This way, you'll be able to share a more meaningful story about your impact. You've got this!
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Landry’s Answer

Get started by joining student organizations and community service groups that interest you. This could be anything from sports teams to clubs centered around your favorite hobbies. As you get involved, consider taking on a leadership role within these groups to highlight and develop your leadership skills. Not only will you make new connections, but you’ll also gain valuable experience that will serve you well in the future.
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Lynn’s Answer

To make your college application stand out, focus on authenticity and impact.
- Tell your unique story through your essays. What motivates you? What challenges have you overcome?
- Show depth, not just breadth in your extracurricular activities.
- Connect your interests: Link your academic pursuits, activities, and essays to paint a cohesive picture of who you are and what you'll bring to the school.
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JOSEPH’s Answer

Hi Cathy,
I understand the feeling because I still deal with that on a daily basis. I have more than 11 years experience as a software engineer but I still feel like I should be doing more. But I have learned over years that there is no need to stress yourself about it. Rather enjoy the moment, and take life as a journey, adventure of trials, whether you succeed or fail. Take your time, no need to do everything all at once. Just do what you can handle at the moment, and when you feel you want to do more, then you can explore more. A secret that no one tells you early in life, is that there isn't always some grand prize at the finish line. The journey is what matters more. I know people that tried to do everything at young age and jeopardizing their health, and now suffering through medical issues at an older age. I even know people that I thought archived everything at a very young age, and lost everything still at a young age. Yes, life still gives us opportunity to rebound. So moral of the story, don't rush to do everything now, take your time, enjoy the moment, and opportunities will come at the right time.
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Carolyn’s Answer

Hi Cathy. It's pretty normal to feel overwhelmed and find it tough to stand out. When you look at how other people are presenting themselves, know that they're putting their best foot forward and they likely had similar feelings even as they were packaging up their accomplishments and distinctive capabilities. It's a certainty that you have the just as much (if not more) to offer. What will impress the college admissions office is that you pursued activities that you're passionate about, not just to check a box. Spend an hour reviewing what you've done in the past year and what you're proudest of and then spend some time thinking about what you'd want to do to take those activities one step further. Or, it may be time to explore entirely new interests. You could start with looking at adjacencies. If you're good in one sport, perhaps you'd enjoy branching out to another sport, or teaching others what you're good at. When it comes time to share what makes you distinctive, let the interviewer know why you chose it and why you find it fulfilling. That authenticity will take you a long ways. Good luck!
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Divya’s Answer

Hi Cathy,
Its absolutely ok to feel anxious about not doing enough for your college application, and that's totally fine.
To start with, you can do some of the following to see if you can add these to what you have already been doing:

Identify a project that you are passionate about - So you get to dig more apt details to consider for your assignment
List down all the achievements you have had in that area so far
All the certifications, Online courses, white papers you have been involved in
Be authentic!

Good luck!
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Pooja’s Answer

Hello! Applying to college can feel overwhelming, but remember, you're not alone in this. It's normal to think you could be doing more, but your application isn't everything. Spend your high school years doing what truly reflects who you are and where you want to go. When you're proud and passionate about your work, it's easier to show your best. Focus on quality, not quantity!
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Cathy !

To begin with, please do not worry about your activities because you seem to be doing some and a student can actually get accepted to a college without extracurriculars. Colleges generally prioritize academic performance, standardized test scores, personal essays, and letters of recommendation over extracurricular activities, so there's really nothing to worry about regarding college admission. You have some extracurriculars under your belt anyway.

For the summer, you can think about getting a job or doing volunteer work if it's that you want to keep busy. Go for something you really like doing or something connected to your career interest. Bunching up extracurriculars is no way to prepare for college acceptance, but I can advise you on some things that might give you some insight.

First, pick all the colleges that you want to apply to. One by one, go to their website and see what is involved in completing their particular admissions package, A completely filled in application before the deadline will increase your chances. Leave no question blank and include all documents that they request. Then do a search online for each college's acceptance rate. That is the percentage of students that are accepted to their college out of all the applications they receive and it's different for every college. For example, a college that has an 87% acceptance rate may be easier to get into than one that has an 11% acceptance rate. This is information that will be worthwhile knowing to not guarantee acceptance or non-acceptance, but to give you an idea.

My advice is to maintain good grades, take the SAT exam in your Junior year of high school, continue with the activities you have been doing and explore the information of the colleges that you intend to apply to.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you comment icon I really appreciate this piece of advice, thank you so much! Cathy
Thank you comment icon You are very welcome, Cathy ! Michelle M.
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Chris’s Answer

Passions are infectious, especially if they positively impact others. And people are impressive, not accomplishments. If you are heavily invested in a passion of yours and can articulate how involvement in activities related to your passion informs your perspective, has and will positively impact others, and what you've learned along the way others will remember you :)
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Khadija’s Answer

Hi Cathy,
I completely understand what you’re going through, as I was in a similar position not too long ago. One approach that I found particularly helpful was taking time for self-reflection. I encourage you to think back to moments when you accomplished something meaningful, whether it was a personal milestone or an academic achievement.
Reflecting on these experiences can help you identify your strengths and the qualities that set you apart. Try to share these moments in writing, focusing on what you learned and how they shaped your interests or values. Additionally, consider writing about a topic or activity you are truly passionate about. Admissions committees appreciate authenticity and genuine enthusiasm, so sharing your unique perspective can make your application stand out.
You can also research the programs that universities have that you might be interested in. Look at what major you would like to go towards and what universities are aligning with it.
Also, last but not the least, apply for all the universities you are interested in!
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Lemboye’s Answer

Alot of great advice posted already. To add on, a big part of the admissions process is the admissions team getting to know you, so you can go above just submitting the standard application and resume to make yourself stand out more.
- Reach out to and engage their admissions team. You can send an email stating your interest and inquiring if there are any admission events they may be planning for you to attend
- Attend info sessions, tour the campus, talk to people. Gather info for your application essay on why the particular school is your top choice
- Reach out to students who may be admission ambassadors for the school to chat and ask questions
- Some schools have alumni referral programs for perspective students. You can reach out to an alum and ask to chat and request a referral if that is an option

These are some things that will show you are serious and passionate about the particular schools and will set you apart from the 80% of students that just apply and hope for the best.
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Abhishek’s Answer

Hi Cathy, I know it can feel overwhelming, especially with peer pressure. Just hang in there. Try to focus on the impact you can make with your projects instead of doing too many things. Doing too much can be confusing for you and make it hard for colleges to see the real you. I hope this helps!
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Miki’s Answer

Colleges like to see continuous involvement in various activities. For example, if you volunteer at a nearby library, continue doing so. It does not need to be anything flashy, but it demonstrates your patience, responsible attitude, and commitment. A part-time job at a store can serve the same purpose. If you can show that you continue and perhaps receive a promotion or two, that looks impressive. Colleges also appreciate leadership and drive; however, this is not for everyone. For example, I am an introvert and did not have any leadership roles in high school. But you can start something you really enjoy on your own and continue with it. More than activities that appear impressive, please spend time writing a good essay as well. Good luck!
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Jonathan’s Answer

Hi Cathy,

I would echo other responses that have emphasized quality over quantity. Maintaining a good GPA while having any extracurricular involvement at all is enough to demonstrate that you can balance multiple responsibilities and manage your time well, which is what colleges are really looking for. Your involvement can be anything from a sport to a school club or even a part-time job after school. I'd start with brainstorming what you have the most interest in and take it from there!

Good luck with your college applications!
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Jonathan Cathy
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Catherine’s Answer

Don't forget that part of what makes you impressive or captivating is just YOU. The things you do on paper get you in the door, but who you are and how you speak once you're in the room is what truly matters.

Get good at speaking about yourself and about the world to prepare for when that door opens. Figure out how to reduce your anxiety in interviews as well. Personally, I would always remind myself that "this can't hurt me, it's just an interview" has really helped. Life is short, don't worry too much. What will happen will happen when it happens.
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Anthony’s Answer

Hi! I want you to first understand the work that you have already done. I have heard this statement many times from people who are ambitious and hardworking as like yourself. When you are feeling this way in school, work, or personal life, I want you to notice the little things and results that has helped you to become who you are now. Take a step back, just reflect, but never compare yourself to others.

Anthony recommends the following next steps:

Hi! I want you to first understand the work that you have already done. I have heard this statement many times from people who are ambitious and hardworking as like yourself. When you are feeling this way in school, work, or personal life, I want you to notice the little things and results that has helped you to become who you are now. Take a step back, just reflect, but never compare yourself to others.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Below are my suggestions :
1. Attend the information sessions hosts by the subject department that you have interest. Speak to professors if possible to understand their selection criteria.
2. Work hard on your academic to meet the entry criteria
3. Explore any intern opportunities on the relevant industry of the subject
4. Participate extra curriculum activities that can demonstrate your leadership and capabilities
5. Explore anything that can enrich you cv that highlight in the information session on the college selection criteria
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Dana’s Answer

Hi Cathy -

I would focus on the impact you made in what you have done versus volume. We are sometimes quick to focus on volume and the number of things we have done instead of focusing on impact. Think about a couple of the areas where you were involved and the impact you made instead of the amount. Good luck - you got this! :)
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Cathy
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Matt’s Answer

Hello Cathy,

I understand the feeling during this phase of your journey.
I'm going to hopefully provide a different perspective that can help shape on your understanding of education vs building/creating/taking part in something fulfilling and satisfactory for you. Understand that the decision of where you get into and under what terms are not much in your control. What you can do is maintain a positive outlook and make room for yourself to not limit the possibilities available to you.

I would suggest also looking at ways in your journey where you can be a creator, innovator, owner of something useful to society. I'm not sure what your focus/major will be, but I would say that if the thought of you getting into the right school concerns you, I would suggest thinking even broader as to how you can form and reach opportunities within yourself.

The point is simply find what your passionate about and discover ways to achieve it, as college may not be the only pathway to get there.

If above is not what you're looking for, practical advise would be the following:

1. Be yourself, do not fabricate achievements or things you've accomplished
2. Be sincere about your intentions for being college, and if in the right hands you application would be considered.
3. Keep a positive outlook.
4. Apply to a reasonable amount of universities.

Hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Cathy
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