<p>On many college's websites, they say they want the applicant to have unique talents, and contribute to the college community. What do they mean by that, and how would they be able to see that?</p>
<p>What is special about -you- that would bring diversity and change to the community? The best way to show this is through exuding a very warm and unique personality, along with interesting ECs, a drive to learn and contribute, and through the personality you put in your essays. It's a bigger plus if you have participated in/won contests with your unique talent.</p>
<p>^ congrats on getting into MIT. haha.</p>
<p>^ thanks; hopefully others can follow =)</p>
<p>Contributing to the community means not just showing up to lectures and spending four years studying all day and all night. They're accepting students with the hope that students will contribute to the vitality of the campus--by participating in sports, or having interesting discussions with peers, whatever. College admissions deans don't want to admit students who will do nothing but study--the campus life would be boring.</p>
<p>So, even though it would help, you don't have to have some super unique talent in which you've commited alot of time into?</p>
<p>No, you don't. But your main goal should be to show them how you'd accentuate their student body if they accept you. Showcase what makes you unique. Don't take the "National Honor Society member, Debate Team, and Orchestra/Band" approach that lots of people take unless those are activities that contribute to the picture of you as a whole.</p>