With a flood of seniors committing to colleges recently, the question must be asked –  what aspects of their application makes them stand out? Quality extracurriculars, GPAs, leadership positions, and teacher recommendations define a good application, but what are the ones that really matter? Many students are overwhelmed by the number of opportunities available, as well as the time allotted to join, complete, or participate in them. However, don’t be scared, because North Atlanta’s student masterminds have shared their best choices, showing us what matters most.

One of the primary concerns that clutters people’s minds is deciding which clubs, internships, jobs, and general activities to participate in. Let’s take a look at senior Claire Collins for some inspiration when it comes to extracurricular activities. Collins took part in many things both in and out of school. She explained that playing school sports and a few clubs, mixed with some community-based activities, is the perfect balance. When looking at other seniors it’s not hard to see a similar pattern. Making sure to have sports and in-school academic clubs, as well as doing work that impacts the community you live in, shows balance and demonstrates the ability to stay involved. Collins provided a perfect example of how to diversify extracurriculars: “I played three sports, served as a Fulton County Youth Commissioner, and completed an internship alongside multiple academic clubs,” she said.

Now comes the hard part: deciding which activities are best for you. The short answer is, try everything. Freshman and sophomore years are the best times to try out all of the clubs and start to figure out what you are truly passionate about. As the transition into junior and senior year starts, begin focusing on a certain topic to show strong interest; colleges love this. When you try everything, it makes it a lot easier to figure out what you are really interested in while still being exposed to everything. Senior Skye Kelly, who will be attending Duke next fall, shared some words of wisdom: “I tried many clubs freshman year, then focused on science to show growth and dedication rather than participation,” she said.

As you continue to participate in clubs throughout your high school years, it is important to shoot your shot at leadership positions, they show responsibility and commitment. When you are in a club or working with an organization, holding a leadership position shows that you can organize events, work well with others, and manage other people. Senior Lourde Woods has held many different leadership positions during his time at North Atlanta.  “A UPenn admissions representative referenced my leadership during interviews, reinforcing how much initiative and responsibility matter,” he said. 

With all of these extracurriculars stacked up, sometimes it can be hard to figure out which, if any, matter most. Figuring out what matters most to colleges strongly depends on what matters most to you. Participating in something that you are passionate about and can connect to shows devotion and consistency. Senior Alex Chalk explained how the extracurricular that mattered most tied directly to his passion. “Being president of Blood Cancer United mattered the most because it was tied directly to my passion for fundraising and the cause itself,” he said. 

College prep is hard, but these helpful pointers from fellow Dubs should help lessen the burden of figuring everything out as you go.