By Joni Tenney
The college admission experience has changed significantly in recent years. Expanded scholarship opportunities and greater access to financial aid have opened the door for more students to consider college, but that accessibility has made the process more competitive. Colleges and universities are now evaluating applicants in a more comprehensive way than ever before.
Historically, admission decisions often focused on two primary factors: grade point average (GPA) and standardized test scores. While fully maxing out your school’s curriculum, academic performance and high test scores remain essential. Many universities today are adopting a more holistic approach to evaluating applicants. There is a growing desire to understand the whole student.
Admissions offices are asking broader questions: How did a student engage in their school community? Did they demonstrate leadership? How did they use their time and talents during high school? Would they be a good fit for our culture?
For students entering high school or currently in high school who plan to attend college after graduation, there are several meaningful ways to stand out in the admissions process.
Get Involved
One of the clearest signals admissions officers look for is engagement. Students who actively participate in the life of their school develop valuable skills in collaboration, resilience, and initiative. Whether through athletics, the arts, academic clubs, or service organizations, stepping beyond the classroom helps students grow and demonstrates a willingness to contribute to a community and university culture.
Seek Leadership Opportunities
Leadership can take many forms so students should expand the way they view that word. While formal leadership roles are valuable, colleges are also drawn to students who take initiative—those who identify opportunities to improve their school or community and take steps to make a difference. Leadership reflects responsibility, confidence, and the ability to influence others in positive ways.
Serve Your Community
Universities want students who demonstrate empathy and a commitment to improving the world around them. Meaningful service experiences can reveal character and perspective in ways that transcripts alone cannot.
Many schools offer service clubs, like National Honor Society, Beta Club, or sports service requirements. At Christian Heritage School, we have intentionally woven service and student leadership into the fabric of the student experience. High school students are required to complete at least 40 hours of community service prior to graduation, and many go well beyond that requirement as they discover causes that matter to them.
Build Strong Faculty Relationships
Finally, mentorship matters. Students benefit greatly from teachers and advisors who challenge them academically while also encouraging personal growth. Across our local community, students find mentors through coaches, teachers, and family friends. At CHS, we pair each student with a faculty advisor in our intentional mentorship program to meet monthly and help students grow academically, personally, and spiritually. We have found that with intentional mentorship, students better recognize their gifts and also have strong connections for recommendation letters.
While the college admission journey can feel overwhelming, students who pursue their interests with intention—both inside and outside the classroom—are often the ones who stand out. In today’s evolving admissions landscape, authenticity, initiative, and engagement can make all the difference.
Christian Heritage School is an independent, college-preparatory K–12 school in Dalton, Georgia, serving more than 640 students. Joni Tenney serves as Director of College Advising with a 100 percent annual college acceptance rate for students at some of the nation’s leading universities. Learn more at chslions.com.
