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To Whom Much Is Given
Prior to coming to Lakeview to work as the College Counselor, I spent several years working in the admissions office at a highly selective university. During that time, I was fortunate to spend a great deal of time traveling to numerous high schools around the country with one of my then mentors, and now dear friends. With over 10 years of experience, she had established her career in the world of competitive admissions and had a great deal of wisdom to share with high school students and their parents. The one question parents and students asked her most often was, “What does your university like to see in an applicant?” In her Jedi master way, she would reply, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
This saying has become one of my favorite pieces of advice to share with my current students because it is so applicable in every context. Often, I find that students understand how lucky they are to attend Lakeview Academy and just how many opportunities are readily available to them. However, to truly stand apart in the admission process, college admissions officers are looking at not only how students took advantage of the opportunities right in front of them, but how they went above and beyond the minimum expectation.
Before I go any further, this does not mean that students should do all the things possible with every waking minute of each day. Instead, think of it as choosing how to invest in yourself and in the world around you in meaningful and intentional ways.
Academics – A Chance to Leverage Your Strengths
In the classroom, students can go above and beyond in many ways. One way is through course selection, either by acceleration or by enrichment. In the context of Lakeview, it is very important to know that by simply taking our standard curriculum without any honors or AP courses, students meet the rigor component required for the HOPE scholarship upon graduation. While some students may feel peer pressure to take an AP course during their time here, it is most vital that each student selects a course sequence that builds on their individual strengths. Students who are generally stronger or more interested in humanities courses should look to increase their rigor in those subject areas.
Course selection, and college distinction, are most definitely a balancing act in which success and hard work meet at just the right point. What is beautiful about Lakeview is we understand that needs may change from year to year, and we emphasize meeting with our students every step of the way to ensure they continue to strike that delicate balance over time.
Extracurriculars – An Opportunity to Live Your Values
Outside of the classroom, students have the opportunity to demonstrate an investment in themself and the world around them through the activities in which they choose to become involved. I am frequently asked if there is some *magical* activity that a student should be doing to really stand out on an application. Instead of answering directly, I turn the question around and ask students what makes them happy and where they see an opening to participate.
Early high school, especially at Lakeview, presents a chance for students to try different activities and test out what might be their “thing.” I never want a student to sign up for or stick with an activity for multiple years simply because they think it “looks good” on an application. If it’s not for you, don’t do it! In this case, quality is MUCH more significant than quantity. In fact, one of my favorite essays I remember reading as an admissions officer was about a young man who grew up playing football for his small South Georgia high school but had a sincere passion for music. His senior year, he boldly stepped away from football and followed his heart by joining the marching band. You can imagine the inner conflict he went through and the value he gained from that experience.
For students who are deeply involved in one or two activities, I challenge them to think about how they might go above and beyond by taking on a leadership role or getting involved in community service. Not all colleges consider extracurricular involvement. However, oftentimes, more selective colleges practice holistic application reviews. Meaning, they look heavily at how students are spending their time outside of the classroom, as they see extracurricular choices as a window into a student’s values and what they may bring to the campus community.
Leveraging your Strengths and Living your Values
While all universities have unique institutional priorities they are seeking to fulfill through the admissions process, students must focus on what parts of this process they can control. The application itself allows students to paint a picture of not only who they are, but also who they hope to become as they grow into adulthood. Through the practice of self-reflecting and evaluating a student’s strengths and values in high school, students should be able to identify ways they can surpass minimum expectations both in and out of the classroom to truly stand out in the admissions process.
 | Kelsey Marcero, BA, MEd Author/College Counselor |
Lakeview Academy is a private, coeducational day school for students in preschool through 12th grade, located in Gainesville, GA minutes off I-985/Hwy 365.
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