College bound students with a specialized talent are in high demand by universities with a revolving student body. Almost every college hosts a gamut of sports teams, dance teams, bands/musical ensembles, and other academic and cultural organizations that require members with a particular skill. As students earn their college degree and graduate, they need to be replaced with fresh talent from the incoming student body.
High school students applying to colleges should highlight the specific skills they would contribute – and the more unique the better. Athletes who excel at less popular sports, such as lacrosse, ice hockey, volleyball, water polo, fencing, and gymnastics, have a better chance of gaining acceptance, with scholarships, than those engaged in the more common sports where the competition is greater.
A similar scenario exists with music. The “rarer” the instrument, the better the chance it will secure a college acceptance, often with scholarship money. College musicians in high demand are typically those proficient on the harp, oboe, tuba, bassoon, and French horn. According to campusreel.org, there are 1,534 scholarships totaling $42,500,000 available to Band/Marching Band member students.
Dancing can provide another avenue to college – especially for those with a specialty. For example, there are 31 teams registered with the Collegiate Irish Dance Association, including those at Georgetown University, UNC – Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame/St. Mary’s College, Northeastern University, Ohio State University, Villanova University, and the University of Michigan. Students who excel in this genre may be able to leverage their talent to earn admission to one of these highly competitive schools.
Demonstrations of leadership experience can also make an applicant more appealing to colleges. This can be exhibited through an Eagle Scout or Gold Award project, serving as the captain of a sports team or the editor of the school newspaper, or attaining a leadership position on one’s Student Council.
Participation (and hopefully leadership) on an academic club or team, such as Debate, Model UN, National Honor Society, or Girls Who Code, is also attractive to colleges who need future students who will impressively represent their school.
The key to leveraging one’s activities into a college acceptance is to connect the dots for the college. Let the college know of your proficiency – whether it’s in sports, music, dance, an academic field, or anything else – and how you will utilize your talent to the betterment of the college community.
Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
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