<p>To me, it seems as if everyone has top standardized test scores, high GPAs, difficult classes, similar extracurricular activities (surplus of clubs and maybe a sport or two), and similar experiences. </p>
<p>So what separates all these top students who all seem to apply to the same highly selective schools? How can I differentiate myself from others? I know essays/interviews will definitely be a factor, but is there any big thing I can do that will differentiate myself from the others? I've seen too many students with similar credentials to mine get rejected from dream colleges, and I want to know how I can set myself apart.</p>
<p>I have relatively high SAT scores (2240/2270, superscore 2330), I take all honors/AP classes, I get straight A's (4.7 GPA), I have pretty good extracurriculars (orchestra, math team, science olympiad, BPA, Golf Team, Fencing..etc), I have volunteering hours at the library as well as medical/dental offices (100+), and I even have Internship experiences. </p>
<p>However, even with all that, I know getting into top colleges is still a reach. Plenty of other students in my school alone have similar credentials and I've seen numerous high achieving students rejected with a resume somewhere around mine if not better.</p>
<p>I realize I might sound pretentious, as I acknowledge my current resume is already pretty solid as it stands now. However, when it comes down to it, nothing really sticks out that would secure me good footing in ivy applications. I never created a charity foundation for terminally ill children. I don't travel to Africa in the summer and build shelters from my bare hands. I've never won a national award for a revolutionary discovery or presentation. I've had minor awards, but nothing really BIG that sets me apart from others.</p>
<p>An admissions rep from a top school came to our HS and walked us through the process that a committee follows when reviewing applications. As he explained it, at top schools the GPA and test scores get you to the table, and then often it is something quirky that gets you past the final cut, all else being equal. Like they need a tuba player or they are impressed that you actually worked at a job during your summers or a counselor manages to make you stand out in a letter, or even the dreaded essay if it’s a stand-out. </p>
<p>The advice I’ve heard is never JUST apply to Ivy schools, because these days they are not sure things for anyone, even the best students, unless your parents are prepared to donate a library. So always apply to a few schools that have less applicants than the high status places like Harvard and, for example, Stanford.</p>
<p>That said, with your impressive numbers and ECs you will no doubt get into a great school, even if it isn’t your first choice, and you will end up with an excellent education. I think the vast majority of students love their colleges, even if they end up at their “safeties.” If you look at comments and student polls on C o l l e g e p r o w l e r, you will see that very few students regret where they end up going. And sometimes I wonder if the kids who do have regrets just didn’t bother to research the college before applying. Some students seem upset about something like the lack of clubs and restaurants in a small town. Something that should have been predictable.</p>
<p>I think it’s easy to get psyched out by this process and become attached to a few famous, name schools, but to some extent I think that’s falling victim to a lot of propaganda. How important is it to be able to impress people with the name of your school, versus the quality of the experience you will have over four years? No school is going to guarantee success in life. No school is a magic bullet. If you find six or seven schools that are good fits for you–stimulating, challenging, and fun–you’ll end up in good shape.</p>
<p>Another user, AeryGold made this post a while back that I agree with completely.</p>
<p>"The most tippy-top tier, with kids who are fantastically unique and/or have impacted the world in a really large-scale way and/or are nationally acclaimed scientists-to-be, athletes, entrepreneurs, or artists, is ridiculously sought after. I guess they’re the closest things to shoo-ins. That thin tier is tiny, I believe. These kids are easy to accept.</p>
<p>Then, I think at the bottom of the qualified pile, there are really generic smart kids with generic NHS positions and generic essays about a generic person. I think that that these kids are easy to cut out. </p>
<p>Then, there’s the middle, where I think the majority of us fall. Obviously, there are way too many middle kiddos to accept everywhere. I think, that in this middle qualified tier, where there are some fantastic students and people, it is partially based on luck. Partially based on what type of student body blank university wants to build that year…
If you happen to fit into their puzzle, then that’s fantastic. If you don’t get accepted, that doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t belong at blank university, just that you didn’t fit into their admit puzzle that particular year. </p>
<p>Because of that ^, I think that’s why it’s sometimes confusing to see people accepted with similar credentials (or sometimes, on paper, worse credentials) as those that are rejected. Ya know?"</p>
<p>Just make sure that you have a safety that you are sure to be admitted to, sure you can afford, sure you will find the desired academic offerings, and sure that you will like to put on your application list.</p>
<p>^I’m just about done with the college searching process, but I never understood that. IMO, by definition, it is impossible for me to find a safety that I would like to go to for school.</p>
<p>It may be too late for the OP, but a look at his/her resume conjures up some advice for admissions.</p>
<p>Instead of participating in all these activities: golf, fencing, orchestra, Science Olympiad, etc., choose one or two to concentrate on, fully. Aim for national or regional excellence in one sport and one other EC. You need enough time to hone your skills and master your passion, rather than racking up a long list of pursuits with ho-hum results.</p>
<p>What characteristics of a school would make it one that you would want to attend?</p>
<p>It is certainly possible to have a wish list that precludes the existence of any safety schools. But then you are risking the disappointment of a shut-out, leaving you only with the default choice of community college or trying again after a gap year (which would probably be futile if you did not expand your list of acceptable schools for the second try).</p>