For many high school students, applying to colleges is the start of a new chapter—but it can be an intimidating process. Many students want to stand out on their college applications and make a good first impression, but they are unsure where to start and what to include.
Colleges review hundreds of applications and many prestigious colleges have low acceptance rates, so it’s important to be prepared before you start applying.
So, what do colleges look for? In this blog post, we’ll provide college application tips about how to get started before you start applying and what information you should highlight on your application. Knowing how to stand out on your college application can help you get closer to attending the college you want!
What Do Colleges Look for on College Applications?
Every college has different application requirements. In general, the most common information that college admissions teams look for on applications includes factors like:
Personal Information
College applications will often ask for information like your name, mailing address, state of residency, date of birth, gender, and contact information. This information is usually easy to fill out—just make sure to spell everything correctly as you complete your application.
Family Information
Colleges also look for general background information about your family: your parents’ names, their occupations, their education level, household income, and information about your siblings.
Academic Information
Colleges and universities want to know about your current education and previous experience. Here’s a list of what colleges generally look for in terms of education experience:
- The high school you attended
- Your transcript
- Your GPA
- Your SAT or ACT Test scores (unless the college is test optional)
- Additional test scores or completed programs where you earned college credit like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
It’s okay not to have completed everything on this list—every student’s education journey is different. Just make sure to include everything that is relevant to you!
Letters of Recommendation
Depending on the colleges or universities you are applying to, there may or may not be a section to submit letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation for college applications should highlight your character, skills, or specific accomplishments.
If there is a teacher you connected with or a mentor who helped guide you, reach out to them for a recommendation letter. For most colleges, you’ll only need two letters of recommendation, so prioritize asking the teachers who know you the best.
Resume
A good college resume can help you stand out from other applicants. Your best resume should show college admissions what you have accomplished, what you are interested in, specific leadership roles, and a small snapshot of your personal story.
As you complete high school activities, log those events while your memories are fresh. Updating your resume regularly can save you from stress during your senior year.
Be specific about your accomplishments and descriptive with the details. Whether it’s sport achievements, musical performances, community service, or awards like National Honor Society, documenting these details ensures your college application reflects your diverse interests and accomplishments.
Essay
Depending on the colleges you apply to, the essay section is usually towards the end of the application. This section of the application is a chance for students to show their personality and future goals. Make sure to follow the prompt that the college provides; they want to read your answer to their specific prompt!
In addition to the standard college essay, some highly selective universities require additional information from you, commonly known as supplemental essays. Make sure to spend some time thinking carefully about your answers and crafting your response, as colleges review these sections closely.
To make sure you stand out among the other applicants, here are some of our best tips on what looks best on college applications and how to write essays that impress college admissions officers.
4 Things to Highlight on Your College Application
Now that you know what to include on your college application, you might be wondering: What additional things do colleges like to see on applications? To stand out and make an impression on your college application, we recommend highlighting the following:
1. Academic Achievements
Mentioning specific coursework and academic achievements can provide colleges with a glimpse into what kind of student you are. Be sure to highlight any AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, AICE, CLEP, or honors courses you have taken. If you are debating whether to include any advanced courses because of your grade, remember that many colleges value a B in AP Chemistry over an A in regular Chemistry, as rigorous classes demonstrate higher academic effort.
If you already have an idea of what major or career you want to pursue, highlight courses that reflect your area of interest. For example, take an advanced math course if you want to be an engineering major, or try a high-level economics course if you are interested in business.
2. Leadership and Extracurricular Activities
Colleges look for engaged, dedicated students who want to improve themselves and the world. You can show colleges this side of you through your involvement in clubs, sports, student government, or honor societies. Pursuing activities that genuinely interest you can showcase your leadership skills and your personality.
3. Volunteering
Finding volunteer opportunities that you can do outside of the classroom is another great way to stand out. Volunteering looks great on college applications because it shows college admissions that you are willing to go the extra mile.
You can also gain new skills and use volunteering opportunities to explore your interests. Find volunteer opportunities in your community by using StudyLab’s Volunteer search tool.
4. Personal Growth, Skills, and Interests
Colleges pay close attention to what skills and interests you mention in your application. This helps them better identify prospective students that would fit well on their campus. Mentioning specific items you have accomplished like internships, personal passion projects, hobbies, and other achievements can set you apart from other applicants.
Another item to highlight is your future career goals. Describe what you are passionate about and what you have accomplished so far to help you achieve your goal. This can show admissions that you are already dedicated and determined to continue your education journey with them.
Get Started with These College Application Tips
Start Early
If you are a freshman or sophomore in high school, start accumulating your experience and accomplishments now. That way, you’ll have your information ready to go when you start applying. For juniors and seniors—it’s not too late! Reflect on your accomplishments throughout your high school years and consider what best emphasizes your successes.
Reflect Your Personality
Your high school experience is just as unique as your personality, so try not to compare yourself to other students and their accomplishments. Your college application should reflect your personal journey, which will give the admissions committee insight into who you are.
Show, Don’t Tell
When describing specific accomplishments on your college application, be descriptive and provide plenty of detail. Rather than just listing your accomplishments, show the impact and outcomes of what you have achieved.
Proofread and Verify Your Information
As you work on your college application, make sure to proofread and double-check your application information. Having multiple errors on a college application could hurt your chances of getting accepted, so be sure to put your best foot forward.
Reflect on Your Personal Growth
When filling out your college application, take the time to be mindful and reflect on what you have accomplished. You are about to start a new chapter in your life, so this is a great time to reflect on how far you’ve come!
Additional Helpful College Application Tips:
Highlight What Makes You Unique
You don’t have to include everything you’ve ever done. But, highlighting a few key items that reflect who you are and what you have accomplished can help you stand out.
If you don’t have many extracurriculars, volunteer opportunities, or additional experience to add to your application, don’t worry! Highlight what you have accomplished and mention any future career or academic goals to show colleges what you are looking for in your education.
Mention Your Major or Career Interest in Your College Application
If you haven’t already, start brainstorming what major you are interested in pursuing. Then, highlight skills and traits that relate to your chosen major or career path. This shows colleges what you are passionate about and where your educational focus will be if accepted.
The major or career you mention should be genuine to your experiences—not something that you think will give you a better chance of getting in. For example, if all of your experiences speak to STEM, admissions may raise an eyebrow if you choose English as a major.
If you’re unsure, don’t mention a major that doesn’t align with your goals. Remember, it’s okay to be undecided—you can always change your mind later!
Remember: Each College Has a Different Application Process
Some college applications may have sections where you can highlight your accomplishments through an essay or short answer section. Other applications may not require an essay, limiting what you can showcase. But, be sure to follow the instructions for each college’s application, as each one will be different!
Get Ready to Stand Out on Your College Applications
Filling out applications may seem a little intimidating, but completing college applications is a chance for you to showcase your strengths as a student and everything else you have accomplished. After all, the information you highlight on your application will provide college admissions a glimpse into who you are as a student!
When you start applying to colleges, referring to this college application tips guide can help you stay on track to make sure you include everything you need.
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