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What things should I do in high school to impress colleges

Also which schools should I be looking into.

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Paul’s Answer

To impress colleges, you should focus on several elements, which include taking academically rigorous classes, demonstrating long term commitment, and making a significant impact in the community, rather than simply accumulating a long list of activities.

Admissions officers increasingly prefer certain applicants—those with a clear focus and deep expertise in one or two areas—over generally "well-rounded" students with only superficial involvement. Here are some more suggestions:

Take Challenging Courses: Enroll in the demanding classes, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
Maintain a High GPA: Consistently strong grades from freshman through senior year demonstrate reliability and a strong work ethic.

Build Relationships: Proactively connect with teachers and counselors; their overall knowledge of you will result in much better letters of recommendation.

Seek Leadership Roles: Don't just hold a specific title; show how you made a difference, such as launching a new initiative or mentoring younger students.

Develop a specific project that you are passionate about, or deep specialization in one field (e.g., independent research, starting a business project, or high-level athletic competition).

Volunteer with a Non-Profit: Focus on long-term service that aligns with your interests rather than individual events.

Engage in Summer Learning: Participate in summer programs, take online courses, or conduct independent research to show you love learning outside the classroom.

I hope these have been helpful. Best of luck with your future education
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Flower’s Answer

Good grades – take challenging courses and do well.
Activities – join clubs, sports, or volunteer, and try to show leadership.
Passion – choose something you truly enjoy and stick with it.
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Rafael’s Answer

Hi Isaiah! When it comes to impressing colleges in high school, the biggest things are keeping your GPA as high as possible, getting involved in extracurriculars where you can show leadership (clubs, sports, student government, volunteering, part-time jobs), and challenging yourself with honors or AP classes if they're available. From my own experience, strong academics really opened doors for me early on since I graduated with top honors and that led to academic merit scholarships that covered partial tuition for my undergraduate studies, so never underestimate how much your grades and class rank matter when it comes to getting financial help. I'd also recommend looking into study abroad or exchange programs even at the high school level, because I did a semester abroad in France during college and it was a huge differentiator on my applications later. Another tip is to start picking up skills or certifications early; I've earned several professional certifications over the years and that habit of always learning something extra really stands out to admissions committees and future employers alike. As for which schools to look into, it really depends on what you're interested in studying, but a good strategy is to apply to a mix of reach schools (the big dream ones), match schools (where your stats line up well), and safety schools (where you're confident you'll get in). Look at schools that are strong in whatever field excites you, whether that's medical, engineering, business, or something else, and also pay attention to which ones offer good scholarships, fellowships, or honors programs because that financial support can make a huge difference. Don't sleep on state universities either since they often have amazing programs at a fraction of the cost, and at the end of the day what matters most is what you do while you're there, not just the name on the diploma!
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Karissa’s Answer

Take as many AP classes as possible. Take your first two years at a community college. State colleges look favorably on students with an Associate’s Degree from local colleges. Pick an AA or AS that the school plans for you.

Karissa recommends the following next steps:

Read about AP classes: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses
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