What Sport/Club/Service/Activity Should I Do to Improve My Application?

This is a question that gets asked by parents and students alike. What sport or club or service is the best when it comes to college applications? What is going to make me stand out from the crowd and show the admissions officers I have that "certain something" they are looking for?

The short answer is - Do what you love and that commitment and passion will be undeniable. If you are doing an activity to "check a box" on your application, that will be clear to the admissions officers. If you are truly committed to your activity and have a real passion for what you are doing, that will shine through in your essays and recommendations.

There is no one template that is going to ensure you gain admission to a certain school. In fact, one of the things admissions officers are actively looking for are people that will bring a new perspective, a new voice to their college community. If everyone did the same sports and activities, that would make for a very boring, one-sided culture.  Admissions officers are looking for students that will challenge, excite, and engage while on campus.

So how can you make your voice stand out to admissions officers through your activities and service? Take your commitment to that activity to a deeper level! Don't just show up for practices or monthly meetings and "check the box" - take on a leadership role, start a new project within an organization, heck, start your own organization! There are many opportunities to take your activities and interests to a newer, deeper level. Don't just check the box - think outside the box!

This approach to your extracurriculars will help you not just in college admissions, but in life. Find something you love doing and inject yourself into it - find new ways to support an organization, find new projects to help bring your message to more people, and in the process, you will find your voice that will allow you to show others who you really are and what excites you.

Recommendations - How to Choose the Right Person and How to Ask

As school comes to a close for the spring, juniors should be thinking ahead to next year's college applications and approaching teachers before the end of the school year to ask for a recommendation next fall.

How many teachers should you ask? It is nice to have 2-3 teachers that are willing to write you a recommendation. You will most likely need just the 2, but if you are planning on applying to outside scholarships and other programs, it is a good idea to have an extra recommendation on hand that you can use to give the other teachers a break. You may also want to have a coach or employer that is willing to write you a recommendation as that is sometimes required for scholarships. A high percentage of colleges will also ask for a guidance counselor recommendation. If you have not had a chance to get to know yours very well, see if they have a form you can fill out with important information about yourself that you want them to put in their letter. If they do not, think about putting that information together for them on your own (clubs, leadership positions, outside activities, future career plans, etc).

Who should you ask? The best recommendations are going to come from teachers that know you well and typically where you have done well in the course. You do not want to ask a teacher for a recommendation if you aren't sure if they would write you a good recommendation - regardless of your grade in the course. If you are applying to STEM programs, it is advisable to have at least one recommendation from a math or science teacher.

How do you ask? Approach your teacher in person - this is not something to do over email or text. Ask them if they have the time and would be willing to write you a recommendation for college applications and potentially some scholarships as well (if you are planning to apply for outside scholarships). Most teachers are happy to do so. Some may have a limited number they are willing to write, which is another reason to ask early! Ask them if they need anything from you in order for them to write it. If you will be asking them to mail in recommendations, provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope. When fall rolls around, go back to the teacher and thank them for their willingness to write a letter, ask if there is anything they need, and let them know of any impending deadlines. If there is a particular passion or activity you want them to write about in the letter, tell them!

How do I say thank you? I'm so glad you asked! Please make sure you DO say thank you! A nice, handwritten note is wonderful - let the teacher know how appreciative you are and where you decided to go to school next year. If they helped you with a scholarship, let them know if you got that as well. If you can, add a gift card to your note to give them a little treat!