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image credit: Charlotte Sanders
Are you a junior whose mom is starting to go college crazy? Are you worried that your college résumé isn’t enough, and are you looking for ways you can improve it in the coming months? Well, you’re in luck, because the Rambler team has graciously compiled this list of unique, creative ways that you can build on your résumé. The list is by no means complete, but it is a great place to start. The examples below would be fine additions to your college portfolio and would be sure to ease the worries of the boiling-hot pressure cooker that is your mother.
High School Research: Doing scientific research in high schools demonstrates to colleges that you not only have great academic aptitude but also have initiative. If you intend to pursue STEM, an independent research project, the culmination of which would likely be a published paper, can be very beneficial to your résumé. One age-old question you might consider exploring is that of why air conditioning use decreases during the winter months. This dilemma has puzzled young minds across the world and has been the source of pain for many. Embarking upon this quest might just open a Pandora’s box that slowly eats away at your life and happiness, but it could also bring you fame, glory, riches, and, of course, instant admission to any institution of higher education in the United States.
Sports: Mastering a sport like football or basketball may seem like a daunting task. The good news is that there are plenty of lesser-known sports that can be easier to get recruited with. Bowling is one of these emerging sports in the 21st century. You will likely develop mastery in no time, though when practicing you may spend more time eating nachos and chicken wings than actually improving your skills.
Competitions: Competitions are great ways to show off a skill you’ve spent the last few years building. They can be the culminating moment of your high school career, or a stepping stone to something greater. If you are unsure of what kind of competition to enter, joining an eating competition is always a safe bet. Eating competitions are fun, tasty, and easy to win, given the contestant has the right mindset. To prepare yourself, practice eating at minimum three entrees from the Commons every day. Success at an eating competition sends the message to colleges that you are an individual capable of victory, and that you are willing to take yourself to the extremes in pursuit of greatness.
Skills & Hobbies: Selective colleges look for students whose applications stand out, and unique skills and hobbies can set your application apart from the rest. Building with Legos has been one skill that students have turned to time and time again to build their portfolios. Improving your Lego-building skills showcases your attention to detail, your creativity, and your patience, all attributes that colleges love to see. Students who gain a true understanding of the intricacies of Lego can even be awarded the title of Master Builder from the Lego Group, one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the world. If your hands were not blessed with the nimbleness required for Lego, however, showcasing your proficiency with ChatGPT can be equally valuable. The great lengths students go to use this technology is often most impressive to college admissions officers.
Jobs: Unfortunately, many of Bush’s neighbors have developed a disdain for our students because of their sometimes problematic parking habits. However, you have the opportunity to remedy this issue, because Bush’s neighbors also have adorable, small, crusty-eyed dogs that are desperately in need of walking. Taking up this occupation, in which you would walk at least ten small dogs at once, might seem like an easy task at first, but do not underestimate these ferocious creatures. They will pull, tug, and yank you in ways that you never have been before. But, if you survive the trials of dog walking and are able to put this occupation on your résumé, colleges will love you for it.
Instruments: Instruments like the piano and violin take years of tedious practice to develop fluency with. Pressed with time to build your college résumé as you are, it is our recommendation that you consider taking up a less popular instrument. Bagpiping, for instance, has gained many entrance to top American universities. As a bagpiper, you will also wear the kilt, an experience that might prove to be more rewarding than admission to the college of your choice.
Clubs: Bush’s student-led clubs provide students the opportunity to engage with the rest of the community and do something that they are passionate about. Universities routinely pay attention to these positions of leadership, where students take on the roles of teachers, collaborators, and friends. A Terms-of-Service club, where students would develop a genuine interest in the hundreds of pages of legal documents that go unread each day, would demonstrate that a student is both organized and is looking to be an active change-maker.
Letters of Recommendation: It is tricky for many to find the right person to write their college recommendation. If you are unable to find a teacher that you believe would write you a stellar recommendation, it might be a good idea to turn to ChatGPT. With this technology, you could fine-tune the details of your recommendation to not only make them stand out more but also make them align better with your application. It would be advisable to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus, which is only $20/month, if you choose to go down this path.
Activism: Today, colleges value those who not only are academically strong but also those who have a passion for change. If you are passionate about solving climate change, addressing our modern-day problems with fresh water supply could be an effective way to begin. To save water, completely abstain from drinking it and instead switch to a liquid diet consisting entirely of Coca-Cola. After realizing that your new diet not only helps the environment but also helps your taste buds, you will launch a campaign at Bush, encouraging the school to eliminate all water fountains and bottles and switch them out for soda. This will prove to be the ultimate test to see if our school is truly eco-friendly, and your activism will show colleges that you are the right person for admittance.
If all else fails… Join the Rambler!
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