Applications Approach: Personal Branding & Marketing for the College Applicant

The core of college applications process is, obviously, the application itself. While keeping lines of communication open with admissions officers and maintaining strong performance in both the classroom and extracurriculars is certainly important, the application itself is the way in which prospective college applicants are able to summarize all of their achievements and accolades during their high school career and present it to colleges. In this way, the college application really is all about marketing and branding yourself to these institutions, so that you can showcase you best self to the admissions team. Here are some highlights to consider in marketing yourself effectively to colleges, so that you are demonstrating the best aspects of yourself, the elements of you that will provide value to a college for the next four years and beyond;

• Social Media; in this day and age, there are few parts of self-representation more important than your online entity. Social media accounts are often a way for people to put themselves out there and provide exposure, to show who they are to the world. As such, it is incredibly important to demonstrate through your social media platforms that you are the type of person that an admissions officer (or coach) would want at their school. When applying, make sure that your social media is the best representation of you. At LAC, we endorse the “Grandma Rule” for social media; in other words, if there is anything on your social media account that you wouldn’t want your grandma to see, it is probably best for it to not be published on a social platform.
• For athletes, keep in mind that you can utilize your social media accounts to demonstrate your athletic performances and achievements. This would include Hudl reels, training videos, and posts of accolades and honors you’ve received. Your social media is a living resume. Be sure to treat it as such.
• Highlighting Achievements; when applying to colleges, it is especially important to consider an intended major and accompanying curriculum path. Colleges will be all the more impressed by an applicant who is driven and, quite simply, knows the path in life they wish to pursue. Accordingly, use your application to highlight your high school achievements! Look at your application as a method of telling your story; where you’ve been, who you are, and where you want to go with the help of that college. Highlighting achievements, especially those that pertain to your desired career path and activities that you wish to pursue in college, is a great way of demonstrating what you can authentically provide to the fabric of a college’s community and ecosystem. Be proud to share what makes you tick. You’d be surprised to learn how that may connect with the representatives at a college.
• Know Your Audience; Just like any marketing campaign, you need to know your audience. Instead of just applying to a college, locate your admissions representative’s contact information online and reach out. Introduce yourself, make a connection, and communicate who you are and the person you want that college to help you become. Remember; this is one of the most important individuals at a college you are applying to. Forming a relationship with that person will be critical in making a name for yourself among the thousands of others who will also be applying. Think of it this way; if you and seven other students are on the fence, with similar GPAs, mirrored test scores, extracurriculars cut from the same cloth, you want to have the one thing that will push you into the positive. Students often forget that by creating a line of communication and relationship with the admissions office, they can create that separation.

There are many other parts of the whole college admissions process that are equally as important as these three tips above, yet following these steps and truly marketing yourself to colleges can and will go a long way towards boosting your application. Remember; you are your own secret weapon. Thousands of people apply to college every year. By differentiating yourself from the pack and demonstrating what you have achieved in your high school career, you can truly show admissions representatives that you are the type of person who can contribute to their school. 

Questions on the college application process? Need help with 'marketing and branding' yourself? Do not hesitate to contact us today!