How do I make my Common App stand out?

Related: How to Fill Out the Common Application

No matter what, know there is a piece of the admission puzzle that is very much in your control: how you present yourself on the Common Application. Be thoughtful. Be authentic. Take advantage of this platform by presenting your voice.

What can I do to strengthen my application?

College Admissions , College Applications , High School
You can strengthen your college applications this school year by applying early, getting high-quality letters of recommendation, and writing a stand-out college essay.

Should you fill all 10 activities on Common App?

The Common App has space for students to list ten activities, but you should not feel obligated to fill out all ten. Only fill out all 10 if you’ve made significant efforts in each of those activities listed.

What are 3 advantages to using the Common Application?

Pros and Cons of Using the Common App to Apply for Colleges

• Pro: The Common App Saves You Time.
• Con: It’s Easy to Overdo It.
• Pro: Tracks Important Info.
• Pro: Schools Won’t Pay Less Attention.

What are colleges looking for in essays?

As part of the college application process, colleges ask prospective students for a personal essay in order to learn more about them. They want to see context on each student’s background, positive traits that the student could bring to campus, and examples of the student demonstrating those qualities.

What makes you a strong candidate for college essay?

Whether reflected in the essay or the thoughtful confluence of the academic course load and extracurricular activities, a successful applicant should highlight an ability to overcome obstacles and garner results. It’s about proving you can produce outcomes, both on the part of the student and the university.

What matters most on a college application?

A student’s grades in college-preparatory classes remain the most significant factor in college admission decisions. Highly selective colleges look for students who: Complete core academic requirements.

What makes you stand out as a student?

Good grades and test scores, a rigorous academic program, and a full compliment of academic classes during all four years are all necessary to be accepted into a good school.

Is 6 activities enough for Common App?

You can add up to ten activities to your application, but that doesn’t mean that you need to enter ten. On average, students applying through Common App report 6 activities. Don’t forget, this section is how colleges can get to know more about you.

Should I put hobbies on Common App?

Hobbies. Your hobbies are second-nature to you. Running, reading books or knitting may be something you only do to take your mind off of school, but they can also count as an extra-curricular activity. It’s even better if you can turn your hobbies into verifiable credentials.

What is the disadvantage of the Common Application?

The only disadvantage, which students can directly control themselves, is that they should not apply to schools that may not be the best match for their interests, simply because it is easy to add more schools to their list in The Common Application. [Get more tips from the U.S. News guide to applying to college.]

What is the purpose of the Common App?

The Common Application is a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. Instead of filling out the same general information—like your address, GPA, and extracurriculars— a dozen times, you only have to do it once.

What should you not say in a college essay?

College Essay Topics to Avoid

• Controversial Topics. Controversial topics, such as current political hot buttons, should be avoided at all costs.
• Highly Personal Topics.
• Personal Achievements and Accomplishments.
• Most Important Place or a Role Model.
• Creative Writing.
• Athletic Topics.
• Humorous Topics or Jokes.
• Tragic Events.

How do I make my college essay stand out?

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

1. A unique, personally meaningful topic.
2. A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook.
3. Specific stories and language that show instead of telling.
4. Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy.

What are your 3 qualities that will add value to your college?

The Qualities Colleges Want

• Leadership.
• A willingness to take risks.
• Initiative.
• A sense of social responsibility.
• A commitment to service.
• Special talents or abilities.

What should you not talk about in a college essay?

What do colleges actually look for?

Many selective colleges practice an admissions process that looks at the applicant as a whole person. This means that they take into account a student’s out-of-school activities and commitments, as well as their personal qualities, in addition to their academic achievement.

What grades do colleges look at the most?

Most universities will consider your child’s overall high school GPA, but will always consider their GPA and transcript together, meaning that an admissions officer will see if your child’s grades have improved over time.

What looks impressive on a college application?

Strong test scores (relative to what admitted students have) A specific, honest, and well-written personal statement. A unique extracurricular interest or passion (a “spike,” as we like to call it) Volunteering experience with measurable impact.

What looks really good on college applications?

Academics

• Grade Point Average (GPA) The most important step you can take to make yourself a competitive candidate is, of course, to work hard in school.
• Test Scores. For schools that consider standardized test scores, those typically rank second in importance.
• Clubs.
• Sports.
• Community Service.
• Jobs/Internships.

Do colleges look at all 10 activities?

Extracurricular activities are not the most important factor in a college application. Coursework and GPA, for instance, bear more weight. However, this is not to say that extracurriculars have little or no impact on the admissions decision a student ultimately receives.

How many extracurriculars is too much?

Fewer activities than this can show a lack of willingness to branch out and try something new, while having way more than 6 activities is unsustainable for most students.

Should you put family responsibilities on Common App?

Many colleges and universities do consider family responsibilities as very important. You would want to add that on the common app because colleges admire that you take the time out of your own tasks to be able to care for your family whenever they needed the help.

What is a good extracurricular activity?

What Are the Best Extracurriculars for College?

• Leadership Work and Positions. Colleges seek out applicants with leadership experience.
• Part-Time Jobs.
• Sports and Athletic Participation.
• Academic Clubs and Teams.
• Artistic and Creative Pursuits.
• Volunteering and Community Service.
• Internships.

Do colleges prefer Common App or coalition?

Do Colleges Prefer the Common App Over the Coalition App (or Vice Versa)? No. Colleges that offer both the Common App and the Coalition App don’t have a preference either way. At Bucknell and other schools that accept both, admissions officers want students to use whichever application suits them best.