What is the BIG thing that got you in?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'd like to hear from people who got into their reach universities.
Theres always that BIG thing that made you stood out when you applied.</p>

<p>It might be that you'r an olympic champion, leadership of some sort, started a business or organisation......</p>

<p>I know this is very important to elite colleges and i heard most of them even admit people with average to above average academic scorers. But they got admitted obviously because of something significant. </p>

<p>To all of you who got into the "dream" school, please share your ideas with us. Your idea is very much appreciated.</p>

<p>Thank You.</p>

2

<p>Haha. Definitely not an Olympic champion. I think it's interesting to hear what people's "hooks" are, since there's a misconception that in order to get into a top-tier school, a Pulitzer Prize is required.</p>

<p>I was drum major of the marching band for 3 years, starting sophomore year. I'm also female. This wasn't too great for the first couple of weeks, but then the older people saw that I knew what I was doing and started to respect me. I was also concertmistress of the Wind Ensemble for 3 years.</p>

<p>I basically didn't do anything outside of school - I did a few school activities and excelled in those. I do know people at my college who have written children's books or done physics research since high school, but that's not everybody.</p>

3

<p>Good grades, ECs, good recs.</p>

4

<p>"What is the big thing that got you in?"</p>

<ul>
<li>interesting internal rhyme, could be an excellent slogan.</li>
</ul>

5

<p>How would anyone actually know the answer to this question? Has anyone here done a post-admission interview to find out what got you in? If not, wouldn't an answer to this be simple guesswork?</p>

6

<p>LoL. Good point. Perhaps what we think are our most impressive accomplishments are totally not what adcoms see...</p>

7

<p>Just look at the April posts on the individual college boards from students who got acceptances. If those don't provide details about the student, check their back posts, and then figure out what you think the deciding factor may have been.</p>

8

<p>Keep in mind that you don't have to excel beyond school to get into a good college. This one grad. at my school got into Harvard by excelling in DECA and some other clubs that she was really passionate about. Colleges are looking for intensity and passion IMO.</p>