Don’t Go for ‘Well-Rounded’
by Sarah M.
Many students aim to be “well-rounded” when they apply for college. Great grades, high test scores, a sport, an instrument, and handful of clubs and some work experience all combine to create the complete package, right? I’m not here to say that any of those things are bad. Of course they’re not! But in general, the idea of the well-rounded student just doesn’t work that well, as colleges become more and more selective year by year.
These schools want to accept a well-rounded class, but increasingly they do that by selecting students who have one or two noteworthy and highly-developed elements in their resume. This could be an unusual academic fascination, a particularly impressive achievement in an extracurricular, or a very unique skill. The goal is to showcase your individuality.
As Yale puts it: “You [should] demonstrate a deep commitment to and genuine appreciation for what you spend your time doing. The joy you take in the pursuits that really matter to you – rather than a resume padded with a long list of activities – will strengthen your candidacy.”
Rather than attempting to blend in with the broadest possible mix of activities, in other words, you should specialize and focus on your own specific interests.
- Choose extracurricular activities that genuinely interest you, and pursue those that you enjoy the most.
- Commit to those activities. Pursue them over time, and work hard to take on leadership roles and to demonstrate your initiative. Colleges want to see that you have perseverance, and that you can add value.
- Show growth. Your interests and skills in the area(s) you choose should develop and deepen year after year. Learn more through a summer course or internship; do independent research or fieldwork; take on more responsibility whenever you can.
This idea can come in handy wherever you are in your application process. Whether you’re a freshman just beginning to think about college or a senior sitting down to write essays, remember that your job is not to blend in with everyone around you, but to stand out with your unique perspective and exciting ideas.
