For many students applying to college, writing about extracurricular activities can feel like an afterthought — secondary to essays, test scores, and recommendations. But your activity list is one of the most important parts of your application.

Choosing a college major can feel like a life-altering decision, especially when your interests span multiple fields. What if you’re fascinated by arts and computer science or engineering and business management? For students whose interests defy traditional academic boundaries, dual degree programs offer an exciting and enriching path. If you’re a truly interdisciplinary thinker, these programs allow you to dive deep into two distinct areas without choosing just one.

Families who scan only the marquee names when looking for colleges and universities risk missing campuses that deliver academic depth and lively communities in more intimate settings. Just because an institution isn’t listed in the best college rankings, that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked — it is often these underrated schools that offer the most opportunities for students to thrive and be successful.

Though the visual arts require talent and skill, they also require knowledge and critical thinking. Students who want to study art in college should consider beefing up their knowledge outside of the classroom. One way to become a “pointy” student in the visual arts is through extracurricular reading.

I recently asked ChatGPT to generate a 650-word college essay based on a hypothetical high school flag football captain with a budding interest in kinesiology. The result? It was predictably contrived and full of cliches.

For students who have spent countless hours coding apps, building robots, designing aeronautical models, or crafting engineering projects, the traditional college application doesn’t always do justice to their work. While essays and activities lists can provide context, there’s often no space to fully showcase hands-on projects. That’s where a STEM portfolio, also known as a maker portfolio, comes in.

Curiosity is an important quality in applicants to highly selective colleges. One way students can demonstrate curiosity is by connecting the dots across various topics of conversation. Applicants can demonstrate this ability to move fluidly between ideas, subjects, and disciplines through their college essays, teacher recommendations, and admissions interviews. Students who demonstrate a genuine thirst for understanding make the most memorable impression.

When students begin their college search, they often look at big-name institutions like Ivy League schools or flagship state universities. However, some of the most rewarding college experiences come from schools that fly under the radar. These hidden gems offer hands-on learning, career-driven programs, and unique traditions that make them just as competitive — if not more — than their well-known counterparts.

Though a cliché at this point, the adage good things take time can certainly be applied to the law school admissions process. Mapping out an application process plan ahead of time will allow you to ensure that you’re putting together the strongest law school application possible. While this approach will not eliminate stress altogether, it will undoubtedly make the experience a more manageable one.

You did it! After years of hard work — acing your classes, prepping for standardized tests, crafting unique essays, and curating your extracurriculars — colleges have finally said yes. But now, the tables have turned. It’s no longer about you convincing colleges you belong — it’s about them convincing you.