2 answers
Taylor
Student
Silver City, New Mexico
2
Questions
Updated
195 views
what are some ways to give me a leg up in applying for schools?
I am a dual enrollment student now but I would like to get ahead in the game more.
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2 answers
Jordyn McDonald
Tax Project Manager
4
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Jordyn’s Answer
Great question! It may not be as straightforward as you think. Involvement with volunteer organizations, clubs at school (especially those you have a leadership or founding role in), and sports or competitive organizations (e.g., debate team, choir, dance team, etc.) can have a comparable or bigger impact than just grades in many cases. Admissions teams love to see well-rounded students who demonstrate passion, initiative, and the ability to balance multiple commitments.
Since you're already a dual enrollment student, you're off to an impressive start! Here are some additional ways to give yourself a competitive edge:
Build a Strong Academic Foundation
- Keep excelling in your dual enrollment courses – College-level coursework shows admissions teams you can handle rigorous academics, so continue putting your best effort forward.
- Maintain a solid GPA – While it's not everything, strong grades keep more doors open, especially for scholarships and competitive programs.
- Challenge yourself – Take advanced or honors courses when you can to demonstrate you're willing to push beyond the minimum.
Get Involved and Take the Lead
- Seek leadership roles – Whether it's a club officer position, team captain, or founding a new organization, leadership experience stands out.
- Volunteer consistently – Long-term commitment to a cause you care about often means more than scattered one-time efforts.
- Pursue passion projects – Starting a small business, launching a blog, creating art, or leading a community initiative shows genuine drive and creativity.
Strengthen Your Application Materials
- Cultivate relationships with mentors and teachers – Strong, personalized letters of recommendation can make a real difference.
- Start thinking about your personal story – Colleges want to know who you are, so reflect on the experiences and values that make you unique for your essays.
- Keep a record of your achievements – Track your activities, awards, and accomplishments now so you're not scrambling to remember them later.
Plan Ahead Strategically
- Research your target schools early – Understanding their values and requirements helps you tailor your involvement and applications.
- Look into scholarships – Many have their own deadlines and criteria, so getting ahead here pays off in more ways than one.
- Connect with admissions counselors – Attending college fairs or campus visits shows demonstrated interest, which some schools factor into their decisions.
The fact that you're thinking ahead and looking for ways to stand out already sets you apart from the crowd. Keep that momentum going, stay involved in the things you're passionate about, and remember that authenticity matters just as much as accomplishments. You're building a strong foundation, and with this kind of initiative, you're setting yourself up for great success.
Since you're already a dual enrollment student, you're off to an impressive start! Here are some additional ways to give yourself a competitive edge:
Build a Strong Academic Foundation
- Keep excelling in your dual enrollment courses – College-level coursework shows admissions teams you can handle rigorous academics, so continue putting your best effort forward.
- Maintain a solid GPA – While it's not everything, strong grades keep more doors open, especially for scholarships and competitive programs.
- Challenge yourself – Take advanced or honors courses when you can to demonstrate you're willing to push beyond the minimum.
Get Involved and Take the Lead
- Seek leadership roles – Whether it's a club officer position, team captain, or founding a new organization, leadership experience stands out.
- Volunteer consistently – Long-term commitment to a cause you care about often means more than scattered one-time efforts.
- Pursue passion projects – Starting a small business, launching a blog, creating art, or leading a community initiative shows genuine drive and creativity.
Strengthen Your Application Materials
- Cultivate relationships with mentors and teachers – Strong, personalized letters of recommendation can make a real difference.
- Start thinking about your personal story – Colleges want to know who you are, so reflect on the experiences and values that make you unique for your essays.
- Keep a record of your achievements – Track your activities, awards, and accomplishments now so you're not scrambling to remember them later.
Plan Ahead Strategically
- Research your target schools early – Understanding their values and requirements helps you tailor your involvement and applications.
- Look into scholarships – Many have their own deadlines and criteria, so getting ahead here pays off in more ways than one.
- Connect with admissions counselors – Attending college fairs or campus visits shows demonstrated interest, which some schools factor into their decisions.
The fact that you're thinking ahead and looking for ways to stand out already sets you apart from the crowd. Keep that momentum going, stay involved in the things you're passionate about, and remember that authenticity matters just as much as accomplishments. You're building a strong foundation, and with this kind of initiative, you're setting yourself up for great success.
Yeojin Chang
Software Engineer
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Yeojin’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
Sounds like you're a high achiever already if you're thinking in this direction! Here are a few things to think about as you apply for colleges.
- Make your application unique: do something different than what your peers are doing, in an area that you're particularly interested in. For example, if you enjoy computer science, you could try to build a website or application from scratch.
- If you're unsure of what field you want to study or go in, I would recommend trying to look 5-10 years ahead. Try doing research into what industries will be higher in demand around the time you anticipate finishing your higher education.
Good luck!
Sounds like you're a high achiever already if you're thinking in this direction! Here are a few things to think about as you apply for colleges.
- Make your application unique: do something different than what your peers are doing, in an area that you're particularly interested in. For example, if you enjoy computer science, you could try to build a website or application from scratch.
- If you're unsure of what field you want to study or go in, I would recommend trying to look 5-10 years ahead. Try doing research into what industries will be higher in demand around the time you anticipate finishing your higher education.
Good luck!