Get Admitted NOW! Harvard, Stanford, MIT...6 Winning Strategies
- Tina Chulet
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Let’s get this out of the way: most extracurriculars are boring. And if they’re boring, you become what admissions officers call LMO—“Like Many Others.” That’s the kiss of death in elite college admissions. Especially if you’re aiming for the top 15 U.S. universities as an international student, your extracurricular strategy needs to be sharp. Grades alone won’t cut it.
Harvard and schools like it don’t admit transcripts. They admit people.
So what makes someone memorable?
A student with a story so clear and compelling that it remains etched in the mind of the reader.
Let’s walk through the winning strategies behind unforgettable extracurricular profiles.
Strategy #1: Pursue Your Interests, Not Just Your Passion
You’ve heard “find your passion” so many times it probably makes you cringe. But here’s the twist: don’t wait to find your passion. Instead, pursue your current interests with energy, and over time, passion often follows.
Real Students Who Did This:
Scott the WriterSAT 1400, but 800 in reading. Published in national teen journals. Started a blog that went viral. Created a writing club that grew into a regional platform.
Elizabeth the Ballerina Ballet since age 3. Trained 30 hours a week. Accepted into Joffrey Ballet's pre-professional program. Taught ballet to young children as a volunteer.
Jessica the Scientist ACT 36 in math. Interned in a cancer research lab. Led her school’s Science Olympiad. Created experiments on microbiology for her local community.
And if you’re in a crowded field like MUN or debate? Stand out:
Create debate tutorials on YouTube.
Launch a middle school outreach program.
Organize debate nights with civic leaders.
Strategy #2: Become a Specialist
Colleges don’t want “well-rounded” students—they want a well-rounded class. You can’t win by doing a bit of everything.
Be great at something. Time is limited. Stop trying to win the activity rat race.
Student Examples:
Akanksha the Musician: Started a local band, organized arts events, and raised funds through performances—featured in local media.
Paavni the Charitable Farmer: Built a social media platform on organic gardening, ran farmer’s markets to support school nutrition.
Yash the Environmental Engineer: Merged coding and climate action—wrote solar software for tractors and led long-term NGO clean-up efforts.
The question is—who are you curious about? The kid in six clubs or the one who built something?
Strategy #3: Design an Extracurricular Experience
A winning profile isn’t about 10 disjointed activities. It’s about building a thematic experience across various tiers of involvement. That way, even if you’re not “the best” in a field, your consistency and storytelling shine.
Pro Tips:
Use the Common App’s 10 spaces wisely. Colleges get 37,000 applications a year—make yours stand out.
Ask yourself: How many others are doing what I’m doing? Can I take it deeper or make it unique?
Strategy #4: Protect Your Time
Say no to unimportant opportunities. Every hour you waste on resume fluff is one you could spend building something meaningful. Focus on what’s:
Impressive
Fulfilling
Necessary for your growth
Strategy #5: Show Consecutive Growth
Build progression into your story. Every summer and school year should build on the last. That’s how you prove commitment.
Examples:
Mental Health → Parkinson’s Awareness → Summer Art Project
School Newspaper → Summer Writing Program → Published Columnist
Mechanical Engineering → Internship in Automobiles → Specialized AI Project
It’s not about single moments—it’s about cumulative narrative.
Strategy #6: Go All In When Opportunity Knocks
When you find something you love, commit.
Started a home bakery? Build it into a brand.
Love business? Interview entrepreneurs and publish on YouTube.
Got into a cooking contest? Say yes. Then go learn everything you can from it.
Even if your school offers nothing? Go self-directed. Show initiative.
Final Thought: Don’t Let ECs Be an Afterthought
Winning students don’t do more—they do things more meaningfully. They make strategic choices that tell a story. If you're an international student planning to study abroad in the USA, let your extracurriculars be the plot, not just the filler.
Comments