Noteworthy High School Accomplishments

Currently, I'm exploring my college application and brainstorming things that could make my application stand out. However, I'm curious about what others think - what would you say are the most outstanding accomplishments one could achieve in high school?

Accomplishments that make your application stand out can come in a variety of forms depending on your individual experiences, talents, and interests. However, here are a few categories of stand-out accomplishments and examples for each:

1. Academic Achievements: This could be things like outstanding GPA, strong performance in AP courses, or recognition through well-regarded academic competitions. For example, being a National Merit Scholar, a winner in a prestigious academic competition (e.g. Regeneron Science Talent Search), earning a perfect SAT/ACT score, or excelling in AP exams can be remarkable achievements.

2. Leadership Experiences: Serving in a leadership role in an extracurricular activity could also be a significant achievement. This could encompass being the captain of a sports team, president of a club, student body president, or leader in a community organization.

3. Community Service: Substantial contributions to your community can also set your application apart. Perhaps you've created a nonprofit organization or service project that positively impacts your area, or maybe you were recognized for volunteer service with an award or honor at the local, state, or national level.

4. Unique Skills or Talents: An extraordinary level of proficiency in a certain area — perhaps you're an award-winning artist, musician, coder, or athlete at the state or national level.

5. Research or Creative Projects: Perhaps you've conducted original research that's won recognition at a science fair or you've published a piece of writing. Creative accomplishments, like writing and publishing a book, high-level artistic creations, film production, or development of a popular app or game would definitely catch attention.

Remember, quality is more important than quantity. Rather than collecting a long list of achievements, focus on a few select areas that showcase your commitment, leadership, and in-depth knowledge. The ultimate goal is to highlight what's unique to you and your interests.