<p>I understand that one thing that many good colleges are looking for is uniqueness. I am currently a junior, and am wondering if the following is unique enough:</p>
<p>Basically, for four years, I established and, with my mother, was running an animal shelter. We took in hundreds of stray animals, cared for them, and then adopted them out. </p>
<p>It seems to me that creating an animal shelter and caring for hundreds of animals is something that a college applicant rarely does. So, I was wondering what you guys think of this- does it set me apart from everyone else enough to get me into the very good colleges (Ivies and near-Ivies) assuming my GPA, SAT scores, and other stuff is strong too?</p>
<p>I dont think its so much that establishing an animal shelter is unique- but the fact that you took the initative to start something shows your qualities as a leader, and this is important when applying to highly competitive schools.
As a piece of advice, dont rest on the fact that starting an animal shelter is different or unique- but focus more on why you did it, what you learned from it, etc. <em>that</em> will set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Note that there will be other ppl who may have started other organizations/groups, and hence, they are equally <code>unique</code>(by your definition). It is what you do with it and how you think that counts.</p>
<p>You have an excellent topic to discuss in one of your essays. There is a nice emotional undercurrent that should come off well if done effectively. I would say the importance of your work is how well you can write about it, not the fact that you did it.</p>