<p>Now that I have your attention:
Whenever we ask what colleges are looking for, someone usually answers with stats like gpa, sat, ec's, etc... But each college seems to be searching for a different personality mold amongst the brilliant and gifted who will apply. So what sort of personalities/traits fit with specific colleges? Ex:What does Northwestern or Duke look for specifically in the personality of the student? This can be for any college.</p>
<p>I was gonna yell “trolololololol” when I saw the title.
I’m bumping this because I’d like to know, too.</p>
<p>bumpbumpbump</p>
<p>They want a full range of personalities, but what all top colleges seek is leaders. Leaders of people, thought leaders, those called to action.</p>
<p>Some of the NESCAC liberal arts colleges, like Middlebury, seem to get a preponderance of scholar-athlete types. The freshman class profile on their websites will crow about the number of “team captaincies” among entering students (meaning they can’t simply count “captains” because so many are captains of multiple teams). </p>
<p>Other selective schools don’t seem to care about athletics at all. Chicago has its weird supplemental essay questions (“Salt, governments, beliefs, and celebrity couples are a few examples of things that can be dissolved. What do you dissolve, and what solvent do you use?”) Chicago, Reed, and a few others are trying to promote an atmosphere of pervasive intellectual chatter. They seek out kids who will contribute to that conversation, in and out of the classroom.</p>
<p>The Ivies seem to like energy and brains combined with star power, whether it is a kid who has acted on Broadway or won an Intel science prize or a bronze medal in the winter Olympics. Movers and shakers. People you’ll have a hard time finding in their dorm rooms or perhaps even in their classrooms because they are out starting up the next Teach For America program.</p>
<p>In fact, though, these and other selective colleges all attract a wide range of personalities who will defy any stereotype. The interesting personality almost by definition tends to defy formula.</p>
<p>I think this is true as well… </p>
<p>I think typically math/science oriented universities will be looking for analytical, calculating types </p>
<p>City universities will be looking for individuals, free-thinkers, non-conformists </p>
<p>Smaller colleges will be looking for family-oriented, community-driven, active type students </p>
<p>and so on… </p>
<p>In my personal opinion, I feel this works out since most students applying are attracted to institutions that speak to them, and on the flip-side, colleges accept students who would be a good fit for the school atmosphere. So it all works out. (unless you really have no idea who you are.) </p>
<p>So good luck!</p>