The College Patch

how are you going to stand out???

Did you know that it takes more than great grades and nearly perfect test scores to get into TOP colleges? It's true. Highly competitive colleges are looking for more than just intelligent kids and terrific test takers. Because they have plenty of those to choose from, they are able to be much more selective. Instead of just searching for extremely bright individuals, they are looking for EXTRAORDINARY ones -- kids who STAND OUT in some distinct way due to their special skills and interests, as well as their keen minds and nearly flawless educational records. They are looking for self-starters, engaged learners, advanced achievers, accomplished leaders, caring community members, and pleasant potential roommates. They are looking for kids who EXCEL in some way, who are EXPERTS in some category. Basically, they are looking for the future movers, shakers, and DOERS of the world.

If you want to get into one of the nation's TOP colleges, you are going to have to prove that you are MORE THAN an awesome student and all-around good kid. You are going to have to actually DO something that helps to set you apart from all of the other super-bright, charismatic kids vying for your acceptance letter and/or your juicy scholarship. You are going to have to actually be EXCELLENT at something (other than school and testing), UNIQUE in some special way, and FULL OF PROMISE.

Don't know what to do to prepare yourself for this? Want to know more about what you can do to make yourself as appealing as possible to TOP colleges? Get your copy of 28 Ways to Stand Out, Get Noticed, and (Hopefully) Get Into Top Colleges TODAY, and GET BUSY making your dream a reality!

be a leader

By the time you are a junior or senior in high school (if not sooner), you should be working your way up into leadership positions. This could be done through school clubs, music groups, athletic teams, church groups, employment opportunities, or your own entrepreneurial ventures.

Regardless of the leadership avenue you choose to pursue, it's important that you not just get involved, but that you actually work to DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT to help make your club, group, or business more successful. Ideally, you want to help your club, group, or business accomplish something MEANINGFUL while you are a part of it. You might raise money for an important cause, help a community group in need, invent something, improve something, lead your team to the highest victory, grow your business significantly, or host some other special venture that will help fill a need that you see. The key is to do more than simply head useless meetings and/or enjoy wearing a meaningless a title.

Leadership, after all, is more than a title. It is a way of using your knowledge, skills, and influence to lead others to create positive change. While acquiring fancy titles might be enough to impress some schools, TOP colleges have grown more savvy when it comes to figuring out who is a "leader" in name only and who is a true leader actively working to achieve real results. If you have your sights set on going to a TOP school, you need to get busy! Be a true leader. Be proactive. Set goals. Make a plan. Inspire others. Solve a problem. Right a wrong. Make a true difference in your community or world.

True leaders don't do it for the title; they do it for the difference they can make. And that's what TOP colleges are looking for -- people who are going to make a true difference in this world. Be a leader. See what needs fixing and help change this world for the better.

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