Understanding the Importance

How to Stand Out in College Applications: Focus on Impact

When applying to college, the goal of most students is to “stand out.” They want to know what they can do to differentiate themselves from the thousands of other applicants they are competing against to win a spot at their top-choice college.

Some students think a stellar essay will separate them from the pack. Others think a lengthy activity list or an outstanding teacher recommendation will tip the scales in their favor.

While these are all important elements of college applications, one of the best ways to stand out when applying to college is to show how you’ve made an impact with your interests inside — and outside — of the classroom.

 

What Is “Impact?”

At IvyWise we talk a lot about the importance of impact — either in your school, your activities, your community, or in some other area. But what is impact exactly?

By definition, impact is “to have an effect on” or to “influence” or “alter” something. It’s another way of saying to make a difference.

It’s not enough to do something in order to add it to your college application. Students should strive to positively influence or change the things they’re involved with. This is something colleges — especially highly selective ones — are looking for.

 

Why Is Impact Important?

As we said above, colleges have demonstrated that impactful things — like meaningful community service or quality activities — are something that they’re looking for in applicants.

Colleges don’t just want to admit students who will perform well academically. They also want to admit students who will have a positive influence on the campus community, who will:

• Take leadership positions

• Identify needs on campus and fill them

• Make the school an overall better place

Colleges want citizens – not just academics.

Schools will look for impact when evaluating students’ applications, and it can be an important way to stand out, especially when applying to highly selective institutions.

 

How Can Students Make an Impact?

There are a number of ways that students can be impactful. First, it starts with identifying your interests and the things that you’re really passionate about.

• Do you love animals?

• Do you enjoy working with groups in your community?

• Do you have a special talent that can bring joy to someone else?

Find the things that really interest you and get involved!

Joining a club, volunteering for an organization, or finding other ways to get involved with your interests is the first step toward eventually making an impact.

 

Be a Leader in Extracurricular Activities

One of the best ways to make an impact is to take on a leadership role in a club or other activity that you’re involved with.

Now, getting elected club president doesn’t mean your work is done. A leadership position doesn’t mean much if you don’t do anything with it.

Being a leader, whether you have a title or not, is about working toward a common goal with your peers.

Examples:

• Does your club want to raise money for a local charity? Come up with ways to accomplish that goal and implement those ideas.

• Is the organization you volunteer with needing more supplies? Find a way to solicit donations from local businesses.

Leaders identify needs and drive progress. You can be a leader — and make an impact — no matter how big or small the task.

 

Take Initiative

Making an impact often means taking initiative. Leaders take initiative, and initiative creates leaders.

• Don’t be afraid to speak up if you see a problem and have a solution.

• Don’t be afraid to seek out new opportunities to engage with your interests.

Example: Interested in theater but didn’t make the cut for the latest production? Ask if you can volunteer on the costume crew or help with the set.

Take initiative to get involved and use your skills to help others reach a common goal.

 

Make a Long-term Commitment

It’s hard to make your mark on something if you’re only involved for a few days or weeks.

In order to have the time to make an impact, you need to make a long-term commitment to the activities that are important to you.

This is where quality comes in over quantity. If you’re superficially involved in dozens of clubs or activities, it’s difficult to show how your participation made an impact.

Evaluate your interests and determine if there are a few activities you could drop in order to devote more time to the ones you really love — and where you think you can make a difference.

 

Be Present in the Classroom

Impact matters at school, too. Your teachers and counselors will write recommendation letters, and to make those letters compelling, they need to know who you are.

Making an impact in the classroom can be as simple as being present:

• Participate in group discussions

• Ask thoughtful questions

• Engage other students

• Ask teachers for help when needed

By being a thoughtful and curious student, you can help shape the classroom environment into one where learning thrives — and teachers will notice.

 

Final Thoughts

Making an impact can be as simple as being a thoughtful classmate or as grand as creating positive change in the community.

No demonstration of impact is more valuable than another — as long as you show colleges that your participation was genuine.

Colleges are looking for students who will positively influence and change their campus, and showing how you’ve already done that in high school — on any scale — can go a long way toward earning your spot.