When you’re filling out applications and writing your essays, consider highlighting these three themes.
1. What have you really enjoyed doing in high school?
Whether it’s reading books in English, playing on the volleyball team, or volunteering with your church, if you loved doing it, don’t hide the love. Even a hobby can be worth sharing if you love it. Passion is a likeable quality. Tell the college why you enjoy it and what makes it so rewarding.
2. What have you enjoyed learning in high school?
Colleges love learning about what you love to learn. If it’s math, let your math geekiness ring out loud and clear. If you taught yourself to play guitar, describe how you did it and how far you’ve come. If you took a pottery class, or joined a book club, or watched YouTube videos to learn how to keep your aging car running—if you’ve fed your curiosity, share it!
3. Where have you made a difference in high school?
The term “making a difference” often implies helping the less fortunate, which is a worthy way to make a difference. But it’s not the only way. Making a difference just means that someone or something is different as a result of something you’ve done. If your hockey team has new equipment because of a fundraiser you initiated, you made a difference. If sales at your part-time job went up after you started working there, or the Latin club wears t-shirts you designed, or the school musical participants were well lit thanks to you and your stage lighting prowess, you made a difference. When describing activities or writing about experiences, one of the best ways to prove your impact is to point to a difference you’ve made. And colleges will be eager to have you keep making a difference on their campus.