@marie122, that “something unique” is almost always, I think, recruited athletic skill. I can think of nothing as powerful in admissions than athletic recruiting, with one exception: a very high or near perfect ACT or SAT score. They both move mountains in admissions.
@MiddleburyDad2 I would also say the something unique is something that you and only a few other people share. Maybe you’re the only xylophone player applying, or maybe you’re the only Alaskan applying. Both can have a significant impact on your college admissions.
@marie122, yes, I agree with that entirely, if it’s truly, truly unique. I think the instrument player is rarely that unique, but I get your point. I think your example of geography is particularly spot on. When your application causes the admissions person to ask their assistant to check the database for the last person from some town in the middle of nowhere to attend, you are having a good day if he/she responds, “1953”.
My cynicism is more focused on these tired lists of “look at me” activities that come off so contrived and aimed entirely at admissions pleasing. Admissions people get to be very good at their jobs and can see through a lot of crap. If you’re at the point where you’re on CC asking people if your list of activities is good enough, then it probably isn’t. You should do things because they matter to you, not because it will make someone at ____ College want to admit you. Time and time again, these kids are advised by everyone to find a passion and pursue it for its own sake, and let admissions take care of itself. And time and time again, I read about and hear about and am aware of teenage kids twisting themselves into a pretzel trying to be unique. I don’t know that I’ve ever known someone who pulled off being unique by trying to be unique. In some ways, trying to be unique is the antithesis of being unique.
REPOSTING WITH A NEW CHANGE
Current sophomore looking for some feedback on my quest for college. Looking to go to a highly selective school. Undecided major(top choices are econ/business/finance and CS). Large public school in NC.
UWGPA: 4.0
WGPA: 4.75
Class Rank: 1/400+
AP Classes: 2 sophomore year, 5-6 junior year, 3-5 senior year(TBD)
ACT: not taken yet but projected to get around 30(w/out studying). I know you can’t give a proper chance without the score but just omit it.
EC’s(in order of importance)
Club/Varsity Soccer- 9-12
non-profit(coordinator of a program; not going into detail)-9-12
in the process of starting a science club
FBLA- 10-12 high officer position
Beta-10-12
YOUTUBE CHANNEL-9-12- I have a youtube channel where I make soccer videos, I’ve made private videos for a long time but just started to make public ones. Not big but from the way things are progressing, I could hopefully be looking at 1k+ subs by senior year. Could this be a good EC?
Summer Activities(plan)
Hospital Volunteer
Research in STEM
Schools interested in:
Duke, UNC, NC State, UVA, Emory, UPenn, Columbia, Cornell