Too many kids go through high school following the college-prep crowds. Other people sign up for clubs, so they sign up for the same clubs. Other people do more test prep, so they do more test prep. Other people seek leadership positions, or run for class office, or tally up their totals of community service hours because everyone else is doing it. Is it any wonder that so many kids reach the time to complete college applications and then struggle to stand out?
You can fit in or you can stand out. But it’s almost impossible to do both simultaneously.
The best way to stand out is to make different choices than those who are fitting in do.