When we’re brainstorming college essays with our Collegewise students, one of the things we look for is a spark.
The spark is when a student lights up or is otherwise genuinely moved while telling us a story about his or her life. And we never know where we might find it. Sometimes a high school quarterback lights up when talking about football, but he could also light up when taking about coaching youth football, or teaching himself to play guitar, or reading science fiction. The sparks don’t necessarily come from a student’s most impressive activities (though they’re more likely to when the student has chosen activities he enjoys). They can come from anywhere. It’s our job to look for it. Essays based on sparks are always more interesting to read than stories students choose just because they think it will impress an admissions officer.
Every student wants to create a college application that stands out and makes an impression on an admissions officer. Sparks do that. So when you’re filling out your applications, writing your essays and doing your college interviews, show them your spark. And don’t worry whether or not your spark is attached to something impressive. The spark is often more important than the subject.