Do only “well-rounded” students get into college?

January 27, 12:48 PMCollege Admissions ExaminerLauren Starkey

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Recently I read a post from a sophomore on a college search website who was already anxious about getting accepted at a competitive school. He listed his GPA (3.5), all of his courses (many honors and AP), and his activities, which included sports, volunteering, and school clubs.

Should he be worried? Probably not. But he should give some serious thought into changing the way he spends his time during the next two and a half years. While his list sounds good, it also sounds like tens of thousands of other students .  Of course, those tens of thousands won’t all be applying to the same schools, but the question remains: how can you stand out as an applicant?

In a previous column, The Myth of the Well-Rounded Student,  I discussed the fact that college admissions departments seek to build a well-rounded freshman class that has some leaders, some musicians, some writers, some do-gooders, etc. They aren’t looking for renaissance students who can do everything well (just thinking: if everyone’s a leader, who’s going to follow?). Instead of trying to do it all, focus your time on one or two interests and build those into your “brand.”

Building a brand doesn’t mean becoming something you’re not, or spending countless hours doing something that bores you beyond words. If it sounds like a sales pitch, well, let’s be honest: college admissions is about selling yourself. But your brand isn’t a phony come-on. It could be your love of literature—why not start a reading group for younger kids, volunteer at the library, or work in a bookstore? Are you a musician? Form a small group to perform at local functions (you could even turn it into a part-time job), or offer free lessons to kids who otherwise might be able to afford them.

The anxiety-ridden sophomore on the college search website mentioned that he was a member of the Asian Club. Bingo. There’s an interest that he can build on. Learn a language, apply for an exchange, take lessons in an Asian art form—the possibilities are endless. By focusing on one or two pursuits, and spending more time on those instead of dabbling in many others, you’ll end up with a more rewarding high school experience, one that will translate better into a competitive college application.