How to Make a College Application Stand Out

Applying to a college is a time consuming process.  You have to gather information about your grades, classes, parents, extracurricular activities and anything you can think of to make your application stand out from the thousands of other applications sent in with yours.  Just because you have good grades and scored well on the SAT or ACT, doesn’t mean your application will be seen by decision makers.

1. Send your application in as soon as possible.  Late applications will obviously stand out, but they also may be omitted or disqualified. You don’t want this to happen.  In fact, you’d rather have your application stand out because it was one of the first applications received.


2. Print or type the application neatly.  Although crazy cursive may make your application stand out, it may also get it rejected if the admissions counselor cannot read your handwriting.


3. Put the application in an envelope that has color or professional designs.  Of course, you will not want to draw pictures on it, but you would like it to stand out.  Placing a school house near your name in the return corner is acceptable.  Choosing an envelope that has professional business lines is also acceptable.


4. Write your essay clearly.  This is an important part of your application where you can let your personality shine through.  Remember that there are people reading your essays, not computers.  Show that you are a real person who is eager to learn and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed at this particular college.


5. Use examples from your own education or childhood when writing questions to answers.  These examples make you seem more human and less like someone writing down whatever they think the admission people want to hear.


6. Include appropriate pictures with your essay or essay questions.  These photos may be of you and your family enjoying a vacation that you discussed in an essay.  Random photos and drawings are not acceptable, only ones that pertain to information that you have added to your application.


7. Print your essay on thicker, more durable paper.  Of course, standard printer paper will work, but paper that is thicker or has a cream colored tint will tend to stand out among the other applications.


8. Contact the admissions office to find out if you can set up a time to talk with a counselor or personally deliver your application.  Sometimes putting a face to a name and application helps with the acceptance process and gets you noticed.