So, you plan on applying for college and you might already have a list of colleges you are considering. But each college has its own requirements, even though many might be similar. Besides all the paperwork you need to do, you also need to work on your college application. College officers are seeing thousands of applications each semester and many of them are simply the same.
To be accepted at the college you want, you need to create an application that stands out from the crowd. But to do this, you need to go through some steps and think not only about yourself and your plans but about what qualities do colleges look for in students too. So, what makes a college application stand out? What should you consider and apply to create an outstanding application?
Reading the Instructions
Well, this piece of advice might seem obvious to some of you. However, we cannot stress enough the importance of reading the instructions. Some prompts might seem accessible and easy to write about. However, you need to read the instructions carefully as you need to follow them. College officers are looking for these in every essay and if yours misses them, it will instantly be dismissed.
So, read the instructions carefully and make sure you follow the format and requirements of each college, as they might differ. This piece of advice is helpful not only when you apply for college, but when you will be a student at university too. You will have to write distinct pieces of papers, from essays to case studies and research papers. You can get inspired by GradesFixer
Apply Ahead of Time
Another thing that will help your college application stand out from the crowd is to not apply among the last ones. Each college has its deadline, so you know the last date when you should send your application.
But, starting to work on it ahead of time means that you will send it earlier than the expiration of the deadline. And college officers start reading them as soon as they receive the applications. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of applications they read, so the earlier you send it, the sooner it will get to them.
Research Your Major
You probably have a major you want to study in college and you apply for it. As you might be applying to more than one college, you know already that each comes with its requirements. And you cannot use the same application to apply to more colleges as you need to customize it depending on the major you want to study.
So, researching the major you apply for before starting your application will help you understand its requirements, but also what you will study if you will be accepted. Knowing this means that you can make your college application relevant and not general, which will help it stand out from the crowd.
Volunteering and Extracurricular Activities
In your college application, you might be asked to talk about your experience with volunteering or extracurricular activities. Besides looking at your test scores, they also take a look at your hobbies and activities you do in your spare time.
As volunteering teaches you a lot, getting involved in extracurricular activities will make your college application stand out from the crowd. Volunteering means you do some work without being paid for it. You can volunteer in an organization that helps elders or who organizes charity events for children or nature and animals. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for, you only need to find your cause. But this will surely make your application stand out from the crowd.
Final Thoughts
College officers see hundreds, if not thousands of applications, so you want to work on yours to make it stand out from the crowd. But how can you do this? Well, you need to research your major and find out about what you will learn, but also what does rest stand for. This will help you customize your application and show your personality.
Read the instructions carefully and start working on your application ahead of time. The earlier you send it, the sooner it reaches the college officers. Last but not least, get involved in volunteering and extracurricular activities as these show that you already have some skills and knowledge on project and time management.
Bio lines: John Marlow is a content writer and blogger. He loves writing about leadership, coaching, and project and time management. John relaxes by playing board games with friends.
