The bottom left includes all the Collegeboard/ACT testing. These show preparedness for the test, but not much else. The problem with these is that once you are in the range, you look exactly the same to an admissions officer as any other applicant in this area.
SAT I: 2200-2400
SAT II: 720-800 for most, although there are some where nothing but an 800 cuts it
ACT: 30-36
AP: 4-5 gives credits for most schools
The middle section, school, includes grades and the like. Your transcript basically consists of this. It is unreliable in a college's eyes because the difficulty of the courses offered in a school vary by region and within a school teachers vary. However, it still needs to be solid to look good in a college's eyes.
The essay, recommendations, and possible interview give the college insight into how you act and express yourself. In the essay, you get to express your voice and experiences from your point of view. The recommendations give the college a look at who you are from other people's perspectives. The interview allows you to just be yourself.
The activities you do show your passions to the school. Leadership is better than participation; being a member of 5 clubs < style="font-style: italic;">Sports: Not just the common interscholastic sports, but uncommon sports such as archery, sailing, and rowing
Speaking: Speech and Debate, Junior Statesmen of America, Slam Poetry, Model UN
Writing: School newspaper, yearbook, and literary publications
Internships/jobs: The harder the position is to get, the better
Summer experiences: Stuff like AMIGOS and other volunteer abroad opportunities cost money but are fun
Volunteering: I personally despise volunteer clubs (because many people at my school join them just for the mindless community service), but they serve the purpose of appearing dedicated to helping society
Music: Either in a school or community symphony/orchestra/band/ensemble or privately. For a symphony, generally all wind instruments except the flute and clarinet as well as violas and double bass are in demand.
Awards show excellence and dedication. These are what make a student stand out above the rest as these awards are very difficult to attain and hard to attain a lot of.
Science: There are the Science, Bio, Chem, and Physics Olympiads as well as others
Math: There are many math and computing contests
English: There are numerous essay and poetry-writing contests
History: The National Geographic Bee as well as other historical competitions
Music: There are many music competitions available, more so for the piano than any other instrument
Collegeboard: There are AP-based awards, the PSAT National Merit Scholarship, and a few others
Language: There are many English and foreign language competitions
1 comment:
Agreed with volunteer clubs
Although, I'm not too sure if awards are at the highest level of the college hierarchy
I agree with you on how "good" is enough, and after a while a higher SAT score or something of the like doesn't do much.
Although from that point on, it's a lot about how you present yourself and show dedication toward what you care about.
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