Parents often ask me: “What matters most now: grades, activities, essays, leadership, volunteer work… or something else entirely?”
The answer is that colleges are looking at the whole student, not just one number or one activity list. Strong grades still matter a great deal, but admissions officers are also trying to understand who a student is, how they spend their time, what motivates them, and what they might contribute to a college community.
That’s why two students with similar GPAs can have very different admissions results.
Although your grades and test scores are definitely important in the admissions process, most schools look more deeply into who you are, what you value, and how you perceive yourself and others. They’re interested in what you’ll bring to a school community. Think about your unique interests, your personal qualities, and what you’ve achieved both academically and personally that will make you stand out!
Your grades do matter!
Colleges want to know if you’re prepared academically for future studies. A high GPA in challenging classes is very valuable. Also, colleges want to see you “stretch” each year — Taking the hardest classes that you can so that you’re prepared for college-level work. Think about your academic strengths. For example:
- Have you taken college prep courses (like dual enrollment and APs)?
- Can you share your test scores like ACTs, SATs, APs and IBs?
- Have you taken classes or done research outside what your school offers?
- Have the courses you’ve taken led you to a major field of interest or a career?
Essays reveal a great deal about your identity and your passions:
Colleges love to read about you! Your essays are a great way to reveal your identity, your passions and what you would offer to a school. There are many opportunities in both the Common App and individual school supplements for you to:
- Showcase your personality, values, and motivation
- Prove your ability to do college level work
- Demonstrate your ability to tell a story
- Show your passion for a field of interest
- Tell about your family background and culture
- Describe your personal achievements
- Explain obstacles you’ve overcome
Your activities list shows what you do outside the classroom!
Colleges also are excited to see your unique interests. What do you do outside the classroom? Your activities show passions, involvement, commitment and leadership as well as your ability to juggle multiple activities. You have the opportunity to list and explain your activities and what you’ve gained from them like after school clubs, jobs, volunteering, sports, tutoring, visual and performing arts, hobbies that are unique to you, as well as blogging, research, reading or travel.
Recommendations are also important. They give colleges a chance to learn about you from teachers, counselors, and others who know you well. For example, letters from counselors and teachers provide insights into your classroom performance and character. Other recommendations from coaches, club advisers and employers can be very helpful as well.
Use your opportunities to share your social media presence, including an online portfolio, website, or social media account that highlights their interests, talents, or creativity. While this is usually optional, it can be a great way to help colleges get a more personal sense of who you are beyond the application itself. They invite you to share the URL on the application. For example:
- You may have a website that you use for business and projects as well as your social media presence in Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc.
- You might send a video (typically 2-5 minutes) that showcases your personality, interests, and even why you want to attend a particular college (i.e. Glimpse, Initial View).
- You can submit a portfolio in interests like art, performing arts, digital media, engineering, etc. that show your skills in areas beyond academics
Some schools offer an interview, either with admissions officers or alumni. Some actually might be used to evaluate you as a candidate.
Applicants should think about all the parts that make your “whole” — The best applications are the ones that go above and beyond! I can help you explore those things and find ways to put them into your applications. To schedule your free 30-minute consultation with me via Zoom, FaceTime or phone, click here!
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