Strategy
Standing Out
How to develop a narrative admissions officers remember.
Have a spike
Most applicants are well-rounded. Nobody remembers well-rounded. Admissions officers remember the kid who built a solar-powered boat. Or won a national debate tournament. Or published a paper on antimicrobial resistance at 17.
A spike is one thing you're genuinely exceptional at. Not three things you're good at. One thing you're great at.
Be authentic
The spike has to be real. Admissions officers can tell when someone's spike was manufactured for the application. Your spike should be something you'd do even if no one was watching.
Quick checklist
- Identified my spike (one thing I'm genuinely great at)
- Built a narrative around it across my application
- Every activity and award connects to my story
- I'm not trying to be someone I'm not