Mid-September Activities Check-In
It’s that time of the year again. High school students are back in the full swing of things as the grind of school has now returned. With that, I like to utilize mid-September as an opportunity to conduct an “activities audit” of sorts. At this point in time, students generally fall into two camps: the first being overly involved while the second is not involved at all.
The good news is that both groups can adjust and benefit from change of pace.
For students whose main commitment is athletics and who may not be involved in other extracurricular activities, this is a great opportunity to explore something new that sparks your interest and builds on your strengths. Our colleague Beth Wilner recently published a blog post where I highlighted the value of having a hobby that is truly your own. Think of it as something you pursue simply because you enjoy it, not because it is tied to performance or competition.
Does your school offer a club that aligns with your hobby?
If not, create one! Find a faculty moderator who shares your interest and begin the process of recruiting other students to join your club. Over the years, I’ve assisted countless students with starting their clubs ranging from barbecue to finance, welding to coffee roasting, and just about everything in between. In fact, an ASL club I advised for several years successfully petitioned to amend our school handbook and have ASL recognized as a foreign language option. The effort those students put into their club showcased their initiative and ultimately strengthened their college applications.
On the flip side, for students who are heavily involved in activities, now is a great time to pause and reflect on where you are and where you want to focus your energy moving forward. This is a great opportunity for you to relinquish some of your responsibilities that may not best serve you in pursuit of your goals.
We hear this question all the time: What do colleges actually care about when they review applications? The truth is, there is not just one thing. It is a combination. But some factors rise to the top every single year. In the Fall 2023 admission cycle, four-year colleges in NACAC’s Factors in the Admission Decision survey ranked performance in high school classes and the rigor of a student’s coursework as the most influential factors in their decisions.
Colleges want to see that you are challenging yourself and doing well. Two things matter most:
Grades in your toughest classes – Admissions officers care about how you performed in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, language).
Rigor of your schedule – Taking honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes shows that you are willing to push yourself.
Over the past decade, I’ve been a huge advocate for the test optional movement. Even though many schools are test optional, strong SAT or ACT scores can still give you an edge. For student athletes, test scores can also open doors to additional schools and scholarships. If you can test well, it is a chance to add another strength to your application.
Colleges want to know who you are beyond grades and scores. That means they will also look at:
Overall GPA trends (are you steady or improving?)
Your essay – This is your chance to tell your story in your own voice.
Recommendations – Teachers and counselors can highlight your character and work ethic.
Extracurriculars – Athletics, clubs, arts, and service all show how you will contribute on campus.
Sports give you an advantage here. The qualities you have built through training and competition such as discipline, resilience, teamwork, and time management are exactly what admissions teams value. When you combine strong academics, test scores, and your athletic experience, you create a powerful application.
Colleges want to admit students who are prepared for the classroom and who bring energy, talent, and leadership to campus. If you put in the work academically, prepare for testing, and showcase your athletic and personal growth, you will stand out. Take care of yourself and use this opportunity to reflect on who you are and where you want to go. Connecting your activities and involvement with that act of self-reflection, while allowing yourself to let go of responsibilities that don’t necessarily align with your aspirations will allow you to navigate the process with clarity.
At POLARIS, we help student athletes connect all those dots so admissions officers see the full picture of who you are.