Highly competitive US colleges report that up to 85 per cent of all applicants are academically qualified for their university yet admission rates can be as low as four per cent. So, while grades and courses are the first filter, extra-curricular impact can also be a deciding factor.

One myth that persists each year is that competitive colleges seek a well-rounded student in terms of extra-curricular activities. The truth is that most Canadian, European and UK universities don’t care what non-academic activities students do because they are focused on students’ grades and external exam results.

(NB: Those universities also don’t require SATs or ACTs from students in non-American high schools). Competitive US universities, on the other hand, do seek students with depth and impact in terms of their extra-curricular involvement so it’s very important, for students to seek and create opportunities in alignment with their innate interests.

Many students say they do not know what they are interested in. My recommendation is that parents encourage and facilitate their children in exploring as many activities as possible, starting in kindergarten, so that they can discover what speaks to them. Colleges don’t necessarily prefer one activity over another, but whatever the activities are, they must reflect leadership, impact, achievement, commitment and initiative.

By fourth form, students should settle into three or four activities and take them to the highest level possible. Don’t see what you’re interested in at your high school? Start it! One of our students recently stated a TedEd club at her school and has since supported the start of another branch at another high school. She learns so much from Ted talks that she wanted to share their impact with her peers. It’s a win-win, because as she develops as a person and leader, she also builds a #winning college profile.

Colleges use what applicants have done in the past as a predictor of what they might do in the future. US colleges look to build communities of students who will create the campus experience.

Therefore, they have to be convinced that students are active in their pursuit of whatever interests them and will continue to be active as college students. While colleges value good school citizenship, they also value activities done outside of school, for example at church, self-initiated, and very importantly, during the summer.

It doesn’t have to be on your transcript to “count”. The important thing is what you learn, achieve, and how you impact others AND how you’re able to articulate those on a college application.

Two students can have similar achievements and receive very different admissions results because of the use of language. The application must be presented in the most compelling manner possible, describing extra-curricular activities and role using active, clear, succinct language. Most college admission officers take about 20 minutes to review each student application, inclusive of grades/transcript, teacher and counsellor recommendations, essays, ACT/SAT reports, and any additional information. This is not a lot of time, so make it count!

Nicole McLaren Campbell is the founder and CEO of Aim Educational Services, an independent college admissions counsellor, and public speaker. Contact her at nicole@ aimeduservices.com.