Alexia
Being Attractive to Colleges
Hi! I'm currently a junior in high school and I am worried that colleges won't find me a worthy candidate based on the fact that I don't volunteer much and that I am not in a lot of clubs. What should I do? Should I even worry? Is this a big factor in college admissions? #high-school #collegeapplications
3 answers
Saul Jaime
Saul’s Answer
Hi Alexia,
I see that you have received great advice on your question. I will try to share a little more and may you find it helpful.
The way that I look at it now is that you want to stand apart from other applicants. You are not the first and definitely not the last to have this concern about college applications. Be a storyteller and let your essay do the talking. Remember that your application will be in a pile with a thousand other applicant. So stand out.
What I like to see in applications are as follow. Let me know that if I fight for your application I will have interesting topics to talk about. For example, I have never met you and I know nothing about you. I know that you have good grades because of your GPA and also because you are applying to college. SO that’s a given. You may also have volunteer work or joined clubs but that says nothing to me. Now on the other hand, if you talk about a pet you have and love. ANd stories about your pet that you feel shaped who you are. Or also, talking about a sibling or personal story. Overcoming adversity during a young age is typically included in your college essay but making that statement personal makes you stand apart. Let me get to know you through your writing. Ask your friend to write you a small paragraph describing you. Ask your teachers to write a small story about you. Ask your parents to give you memories about who you are. Then read them out loud to yourself and write about that. I think that is a great way for someone who reads applications for a living will find refreshing and will also make them feel like they know you.
Sometimes in life its not about what you know but who you know.
Good luck in your applications.
Dawn G.
Dawn’s Answer
Alexia, you still have time to involve yourself this summer. Even doing a summer volunteer project can be helpful. As for clubs, I think schools are increasingly aware of sincere interest versus padded applications.
Here are some great links-
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2014/09/22/5-things-college-applicants-can-do-to-stand-out-in-a-good-way
https://www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/college-admissions/what-college-look-for/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/08/30/what-21-college-admissions-officers-say-they-want-in-a-candidate/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d1a3608d957f
Dawn recommends the following next steps:
Hi Alexia! Usually colleges do like to see some volunteering hours and involvement in school, but if you don't have this then why don't you try to make those points up with other things? Do you have a good cumulative GPA, ACT score, or have been enrolled in AP and concurrent enrollment courses? Colleges want to see that you challenge yourself and care about your education. Find the way to convince them that you are a great student for their school. If you could get some volunteer hours during the summer that would also be great. The more you have to talk about the better. Also, even though volunteer hours look good, they aren't required in most schools for entrance so you don't have to worry about that.
Angela
Megan Ward
Megan’s Answer
Hi Alexia - It's definitely not too late to get involved in clubs or volunteering. I think it would be helpful to do some volunteering this summer to add to your application. It will help you stand out from other applicants, and it will give you experiences to discuss in interviews. A few hours each week will be worth your while. During your upcoming school year, you could also join a club or group.
If you don't join a club/volunteer, that doesn't mean you can't get into college, but it may help make you a more competitive candidate.
Megan recommends the following next steps: