What skills do colleges look for in high school applicants?

Hi, I'm curious about what skills are viewed as 'standout' or 'most desired' by colleges when they are considering high school applicants. Any advice on how to work on these areas during my junior and senior year would be helpful.

In the college admissions process, a variety of skills are highly valued. Here are a few:

1. Leadership: Colleges love to see students who have stepped up to lead a club, sports team, or other organization. This not only demonstrates your ability to motivate and guide others but also highlights your commitment to your passion and your drive for achievement.

2. Self-advocacy: This involves the ability to make your voice heard and to stand up for your convictions. It's about confidently voicing your needs, ideas, and perspectives, often through engaging and persuasive writing in your application essays.

3. Time-management: Balancing rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and personal commitments requires strong time-management skills. This reveals your readiness for the demands of university life.

4. Resilience and adaptability: If you have faced and successfully overcome setbacks, it indicates your ability to manage stress and shows flexibility, resilience, and creativity in problem-solving.

5. Critical Thinking: This skill looks at how you approach complex situations or problems, analyze them, and devise effective solutions. It can be showcased through your rigorous coursework, particularly in subjects like English, mathematics, or sciences.

6. Intellectual curiosity: Evident through the classes you choose to take, essay topic selections, and the detail provided in the 'Why This School?' or 'Why This Major?' essays. Special projects, independent studies, or research engagements also highlight this skill.

7. Social and Emotional Intelligence: Through your interactions with peers, teachers, and community members, colleges can get a feel for your ability to demonstrate empathy, build relationships, and work effectively in teams.

To work on these areas during your junior and senior year, consider taking on leadership roles in clubs or groups you're dedicated to, manage rigorous academic courses with other commitments by creating a consistent study schedule, address personal growth and resilience in your application essays, try to engage in higher-level, analytical coursework, and spend time volunteering or participating in community-focused activities. Remember, authenticity is key. Genuine commitment and passion often lead to the most meaningful growth and recognition.