C. Have you received outside recognition for your work:

• Have you received any awards, honors, newspaper accounts, rankings; publication of your work; letters of acknowledgment, thanks or appreciation?

D. Qualities admissions people look for in student involvements are:

• Competence, effectiveness, high energy level, an adventurous spirit, a sense of responsibility, curiosity, perseverance, cooperative, sustained commitment, maturity, character, passion, and focus.

• They also look for how constructively you spend your time; showing interest in the lives and welfare of others, helping your community; appreciating all that has been given to you.

2. MAXIMIZING A SKILL, TALENT OR INTEREST
Admissions officers are often impressed when students take an interest or skill and act on it in any way they can. They often look for a pattern of interests.

For example, if writing is your “thing,” write for your school newspaper or literary journal, or enroll in special off-campus writing programs offered at community colleges or summer sessions at colleges (e.g., Iowa Young Writers’ Studio); enter writing contests (e.g., the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards); write an op-ed piece for your local newspaper; volunteer your writing skills to a local organization of interest such as the local historical society; or tutor students in writing at your own school (or perhaps at the local homeless school).