The WOW Factor: 7 Ways to Stand Out in College Admissions 

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All these wow factors are making me realize I don’t have any wow lmao

College: we really need you to pay $24k tuition, that’s the lowest we can go :-/ Me: what if I can throw this ball far af College: LMAO that’s lit, here’s 100% off

Hey guys, If you are wondering who I am, I'm Emma. Ive been watching college videos since 11pm and it is currently 9am. My brain is mush.

She said "best in your state," then put up a picture of Syria the country lol 2:44

this lady has ruined all my dreams of going to a good college

1. Proven Excellence - amazing in one category 2. Original Projects - creativity, entrepreneurship, etc. 3. Adulting - uncommon jobs like writing articles for newspapers 4. Making Headlines - become a famous RU-vidr or Instagram influencer, star on the Ellen show, have press coverage 5. Quirky, Random, and Cool Activities - any weird or atypical thing you do 6. Clear Leadership - president of the student council, anything that shows leadership 7. Incredible Grit - pursue through tough times

How to get into any university: “Compete in the Olympics” or “creating a documentary film that goes to film festivals” or “be a guest on Ellen” Me: Uhhhhhhhh... Knitting sounds fun

I’m about to go into my Sophomore year and I don’t feel special at all. I try so hard to stand out but the amount of stress at my school is so competitive. Thank you for this video

IN SHORT: they want a superhero

welp guess i have no wow in me

"Best in the state" "Shows map of syria"

I just want to thank this human. She puts so much energy into helping youth. Im actually crying listening to her talk about the last wow factor and it hit really close to home.

You know it's so funny that some people who stress themselves to get into these schools don't know they look really paranoid like "AAH I MUST GET INTO THE IVY LEAGUE" and plus I think the reason why 95% of these students get straight out rejected is cause they worked their butt off just to get into an ivy league school while the remaining 5% that get in actually have the passion in their own field these schools look for. Let me tell you today if you're one of those people who stress yourself just cause you want to get into the ivy league then sit down and take a good look at your life and ask yourself do I really have the passion and is it really worth the stress and if you're one of those people who think that you need to go to an elite school to be successful let me lay it down for you you don't it doesn't matter which school you attend what matters is your hardwork and what impact you make on yourself and the world, a lot of people do graduate from ivy league schools and end up aimless why cause they worked their butt off and got into the school but lacked passion and focus, their aim all through high school was I HAVE TO GET INTO THE IVY LEAGUE and they never thought of what they would do in future but they used up all their time craving the ivy league. Look I'm not saying you shouldn't apply to these schools no, go ahead an apply cause they are great schools but apply to them cause your passionate about what you want to do and you believe that that is the best school for your major and don't just apply to the ivy league cause you want prestige no that's a wrong mentality which can rip you apart. Well done brooke keep up the good work I love your channel.

She just confirmed im screwed

If you’re the best first baseman in California, you ain’t even going to college

Woah woah woah if u r the best at 1st base in California then no way u r gonna be watching this video about college u will already be in a training camp in the mlb

So much pressure on kids today., I don’t know why they expect them to do all this stuff extra when they have to worry about grades, doing sports, SATs, Etc. some kids even hold jobs or are required to do many hours of service work too

"if you're the only guy that knits in the state of Delaware" 😂😂

It’s just not fair for people who aren’t from small states where it’s easy to stand out.

13:48 Calling us out there lmao

she said clout you earned a sub

all I learned today was I have little to no chance of getting into my dream schools ahaha

I thought I was running out of things until she said incredible grit. Now I've got something going for me

Grit and resilience is a huge thing! And it's odd because a lot of people have been through difficult times and yet they're apprehensive to talk about it on college apps because it might come across as a "weakness" or "flaw." I don't want to sound like That Person, but pull all the cards lmao Pull the race card, the disability card, the LGBT+ card, etc. Talk about how those obstacles affected you and how you powered through them, even if they might seem surface-level or common to you. My friend got accepted to an Ivy League school partly by talking about how his parents got divorced, his mother was unemployed, and he became the breadwinner for his family as a 16-year-old kid. He also talked about growing up gay in the South and how he's pushed through that internal turmoil and social scrutiny. I got accepted into grad school at UChicago partly by talking about my disability and how it negatively affected my studies but that I was able to power on and still graduate with my bachelor's in 2.5 years. Schools want to know that you can bounce back because you are going to inevitably face setbacks in your education and in "the real world." Besides resilience, schools are looking for passion. You don't necessarily have to be the best at something to show that you have a passion for it. You can be last chair in band, but you can talk about how much you love the activity or how involved you are. Tons of ways to show schools that you care about what you're doing.

I would listen to Brook and trust her 100%. Coz I heard and did everything as she recommended on this channel and got in to my dream school. Am in orientation this week🙂

What about doing unpaid internships at colleges within your interest area, is that something colleges would be interested in seeing? (e.g. lab work)

I switched my goal school from Dartmouth to a local private Christian college and I must say that I'm a lot less stressed when I watch her videos now.

Atypical and intellectual... I suppose this is where I bring up the time when I distributed over 200 identical Garfield comic strips with an Instagram handle written on the back throughout my school, then used that account’s story to indirectly teach Critical Theory through old Garfield comics.

I’m a freshman in highschool and I want to do the best I possible can in the college admissions process, I’m used to the highschool admissions process which is somewhat similar but thank you for making this channel. It’s helped me so much already!!

from a rising college freshman who used to binge watch these videos and think I wasn't good enough, just know that you will end up where you belong and need to be :)

What if I’m not passionate about anything? I feel like there’s something wrong with me haha

How do colleges verify these “wow factors” cz someone could lie for most of these things thanks

Honestly, I need to thank you because I used your videos to do well on the ACT and SAT, and it was seriously the only preparation I did. I made it into the Air Force Academy and just started freshman year! Thank you!

WOW I have to apply to colleges this year

“And then you can have a lower gpa, lower sat scores, and all of that _awesome_ stuff”

I'm a guy who knits! Not the only one in Maryland, although I wouldn't exactly call us plentiful :P

For those of you applying to college and don’t feel like you’re impressive enough to get into a top 20 school, you’re not alone. Fortunately, I’m here to tell you that a lot of the time, being a good applicant is more about presenting yourself well than anything else-this means writing thoughtful, unique essays and having activities consistent with what you want to show colleges that you have to offer. I know one of my friends who didn’t do all that much in high school, but he got into Princeton because he was able to craft his essays in a way that brought out his passion for helping his community. I got into Johns Hopkins writing about a competition that I didn’t even win in, and I consider my stats fairly low compared to the rest of the admits this year. You don’t have to necessarily be the best at anything really, you just have to show what kind of person you are and what you have to offer.

love the tone of your voice! It gives me a lot of motivation when you speak about college, thank you for your time for making these videos!

I was a victim of severe cyberbullying and had an eating disorder for two years. I had to get operations done to make sure my sphincter muscles and stomach were okay. It was really hard for me to bounce back, but eventually, I managed to stop (on my own) and then decided to make sure this never happened to anyone again. I created an organization called "Bully-mia" and opened up an Instagram + website for it to provide free resources to students and parents to understand eating disorders. I'm a senior now, and I have spoken at numerous schools and workplaces to spread awareness. When you talked about bullying and taking leadership, I hadn't realized how this would impact my college, and I'm thrilled to know I may have a "wow factor" now. Also, for anyone out there, helping people with something you may be struggling with helps you, too. It's therapeutic. Don't be afraid to speak up :)

You know what I like about your videos? The topics stir thoughtful consideration: who am I & what kind of mark do I want to make in the world? Thinking about this then allows you to consider: how might college XYZ help me get to where I want to go? And, this whole process helps you develop better communication skills and even evaluation skills -- things you will use again...when doing a job search! Life skills, indeed! NIcely done. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

I feel like a "wow factor" is one of the areas where I have some strength but I have yet to make my unique interests anything tangible. I basically research school boundaries, the way school boundaries can redefine what it means to be a community (which in turn can shape state legislative/congressional districts), the best places for school boundary adjustments to be made, potential locations for new schools in overcrowded areas with a lack of property and space, and ways in which school sites can be environmentally sustainable. I watch school board meetings and work sessions religiously, but I haven't yet found a way to make an actual difference with what I do in my community. I have another three years of high school ahead of me and I could contact school board members and work to make a difference in my school district within that time frame, but a part of me thinks it might be better to focus on something that's more achievable instead of trying to do something that several adults who work in partnership with the school board do for a living.

Love ya Brooke..Just tell these kids to be happy and work their plans..95% can attend their state schools and be successful HAPPY, non stressed doctors, lawyers MBA MSW etc..

I really wish I found this video my freshman year, it feels so weird to do all these things now since I’m going to be a junior 😭

This is honestly freeking me out a bit since my homecountry doesn't really have any competitions. I may be the best at math or english or whatever in my school but I'll never know because no one cares to compare these things

Thanks for everything Brooke. I’ll definitely have SuperTutorTV review my essays. Whatever the price, these videos prove to me y’all are world class. God bless y’all for what you do on here, I can only assume many acceptances were awarded because of students following your advice. Thanks

thanks for the advice!

Yasssssss she mentioned bassoon!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU . MADE ME WORRY

Thank you for the "WOW" video

SupertutorTV, I watch many of your videos and am especially grateful for this one. Regarding the Scripps reference, my daughter didn’t win but came in 12th as an evening finalist. I know it doesn’t carry the same weight as winning, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed there is some residual “WOW factor.”

The US college system is ridiculously competitive. In the UK you can get into a Russell Group university with 'reading' listed as your only hobby. No joke that's all I put.

My college essay is about me doing a quirky ,unique and creative activity outside of school and how it landed me a career oriented job . Hell yeah.

Thank you!!!

not in high school but watching this to prepare and be special

Notes for myself: "Starting your own videogame webforum, something atypical and exhibits passion, turn into an intellectual discussion, clear leadership." -> SC 12:50 -> FTM

so grit and original projects...I can do this

wow my essay is about how I played football and hacked down trees with my dad, I was watching this to see if I should/should not write about it

I dont know if you will see this but of you do... -Do colleges see the clubs you were in before highschool? - Do colleges like if you have a youtube channel, if your in student government, and are on a sports team? -Also when is the best time to start studying for the ACT or SAT?

What are you advising kids to do in these Covid times, especially when you live in a state and or county that remains in a lock down mode?

Wait does learning languages not taught in school count as an Extra curriculum

I was an all star at NAQT quiz bowl. That should help.

I am the incredible grit! Wow

This channel is amazing wow !! Hello from BRAZIL 😁🇧🇷🇧🇷

Quirky ppl on instagram: I'm not like other girls

Is joining in a club, for self improvement and development where we can have a chance to meet the successful peoples(entrepreneurs, investors, businesspersons, lecturers and so on)which at last gives us certificate , an adulting??

I'm not gonna care if colleges care about my research, I do it, just cuz I love it so much

Oh my god, thank you so much. I was struggling with my personal insight questions for UCs (yes I'm aware that the deadline is very near) and one of your points gave me inspiration for one of the essays. You are awesome!!

Thanks for this video it rlly helped. I was wondering is playing a traditional musical instrument count as a wow factor?

Hi Brooke! Thank you so much for the content you make. I'm actually 2 years out of college now and plan to apply for a master's degree in the US (I'm Filipino). I found that I meet 3 or 4 of the stuff you listed, but give my context, I'm wondering how well this translates to graduate school?

I recommend The College Counseling Specialist for Admissions/Scholarships. He really can help. His office is in Orange County but maybe he could help with the process online too if you live somewhere else.

i was thinking about leading a protest for climate change at my school! I wonder if y’all have any ideas to get this started!!

Hey Brooke! I find all of your videos very helpful. Could you please focus on some of the aspects of law school (grad school in general) applications? Like strategies to ace LSATs/MCATs/GREs, how to stand out in the pool of applicants; how to write a thesis statement; how to find impressing/useful internships during undergrad etc. That would help me out so so much! Thank you!

What about internships

The wow factor, Where is it supposed to go? the personal statement, the activities section?

What about doing a medical research paper on your own- for fun? Also what about getting a CNA or Pharmacist Tech degree in highschool (so long as your medical and health care oriented)

Thanks for the vid! Very helpful :) I’ve got a question about admission process for international students. I was told that USA colleges do not admit and do not give full tuition for international students, if they have already started higher education and currently are on 2+ year at uni. Can you please tell smth about it? Is it true?

Hi! I am a huge fan of your work and all you do to help! I do, however, have a question. If I was to go to a summer school at Cornell University for 8 weeks, would that ultimately lower my chances of getting into any other top college as I chose Cornell over any other colleges?

Shade @ Wyoming

Please do a video on how many activities do we need in an application. I used to participate in about 4 a year, from small clubs to global competitions, some were for just that year, and some I worked at for 6 years. I'm not from the US and have no one to ask about this stuff.

Could you do a video about the PSAT? Is it important and does it really prepare one for the SAT?

any tips for international students applying for boarding schools?

Who does these things???

She said clout effortlessly, she’s speaking facts

Yo, as soon as she said the first wow factor I already knew I got nothing, well, guess "elite" schools ain't for me 😂 But I really appreciate your videos, you're amazing!

I started a women in stem program at my high-school. Do you think this is an original project?

for original projects, do you have to be published for it to be recognized?

could my life story work as grit? I am helping my father since I was 9 giving 30+ each week on family responsibilities and my studies were like limited to school but I still managed to get a respectable 84% and I was the 4th highest scorer in my high school. This is just a short reflection of my life though.

this video made me subscribe

the only thing that's different about me is that I was in the Marine Corps, I heard some colleges like veterans but I'm not sure if that's true or not.. I was injured in boot camp and chose to stick with it instead of quitting. Instead of 13 weeks, I was there for 28 weeks. But I'm sure that's not "cool" enough to wow a reader.

I have the essay but I have no idea how the header should look like and cant find anything on the proper outline of a header

Is working in a small electrical panels factory with the quality control engineer considered a good thing to put in an application?

I wouldn't consider dissecting owl pullets "quirky"; an owl pellet though maybe (and I personally had to do this for 7th grade science class). A pullet is the generic term for a young female bird. I winced when I heard you say pullet and had to re-listen to make sure I didn't mishear you.

I have the grit one, but I do not know how to write about it and I am really struggling!

Can learning languages be a good wow factor?

I’m goalkeeper for a soccer team in Virginia, we average top ten in the state, and might make it to the semi finals in state cup this coming fall. I don’t see how a d3 Ivy League can be so picky to expect me to beat the absolute best keeper in the state

Is starting an online boutique a wow-factor?

You look tired Brooke, go get some sleep... please.

Why am i getting all these college videos recommended after i graduated highschool where were you freshman year huh

Would boxing be considered unique?? Or random