Three Tips to Make College Applications Stand Out

Higher education professional Amy Kennelly Viellieu possesses nearly a decade of experience in scholarship and college admissions evaluation. In addition to completing a program at the Academy for College Admission Counseling, Amy Kennelly Viellieu reviewed thousands of applications during her seven years in the Office of College Admissions for the University of Chicago.

Due to the volume of applications that college admissions officers must read, it is essential for applicants to make themselves memorable. Below are three tips for creating a stand-out college application.

1. Write unique essays: Every college has its own criteria for the essay portion. While some portions of an essay may be useful for several applications, applicants should expect to write separate versions for each school.

2. Choose referrals wisely: Letters of recommendation are one of the most important aspects of an application as it gives reviewers insight into the applicant’s character. The most impactful recommendations come from someone who has witnessed the applicant’s strengths firsthand, such as a teacher, coach or counselor.

3. Diversify perspectives: Applicants should be mindful of presenting themselves as a well-rounded scholar. For example, if a student’s extracurricular activities are mostly sports-related, the recommendation should be written by a teacher rather than a coach. This will give the reviewers a better understanding of the applicant.