Show, Don’t Just Tell: Why Top Colleges Want to See You in Action
Picture this:
It’s a late night, and you’re finishing a personal project — maybe it’s a short story you’ve been working on for weeks, a science experiment you’re testing for fun, a piece of digital art you’re proud of, or a community project you’ve been organizing with friends. You’re not doing it for a grade. You’re doing it because something inside you wants to.
Now imagine you take that passion, that energy, and you push it one step further. You submit that short story to a national contest. You present your science work at a local fair. You enter your artwork into an exhibition or your project into a civic leadership award.
Suddenly, you’re not just someone who loves something — you’re someone who put it out into the world.
Why That Step Matters
Here’s the thing most students don’t realize: colleges don’t just want to know what you love. They want to know what you’ve done about it.
You can be passionate about writing, science, activism, sports, or the arts — but when you take that passion and put it to the test, it says something powerful about you:
That you’re willing to challenge yourself.
That you care enough to compete, share, and stretch your abilities.
That you’re not just “interested” — you’re committed.
At Ivy Link, we know that when students put themselves in competitive or public spaces — whether that’s applying for awards, contests, or scholarships — they’re not just adding lines to a résumé. They’re demonstrating initiative, grit, and the ability to apply their talents in real-world situations. And that’s exactly the kind of engagement and follow-through that selective colleges value.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Let’s bring this down to earth.
Take Rylle, a student fascinated by engineering. He didn’t stop at building gadgets for fun — he co-led his school’s robotics team to the national championships, where they placed in the top 10 out of hundreds of competitors. But what stood out even more? Rylle designed a robotics summer camp for younger students in his community, teaching coding and design to kids who didn’t have access to STEM programs. It was this mix of technical excellence and meaningful leadership that made his application shine at the Ivy League level.
Then there’s Frances, a passionate writer who didn’t just fill notebooks with stories — she published her work in a nationally recognized teen literary magazine and won a Scholastic Art & Writing Award, one of the most prestigious honors for young writers. But Frances didn’t stop there: she founded her school’s creative writing club and launched a digital zine for student voices, amplifying the work of peers across her region. For Ivy League admissions officers, Frances wasn’t just a talented writer — she was a changemaker using her craft to create impact.
Neither Rylle nor Frances was perfect, but they showed something that matters deeply at the Ivy League level: exceptional achievement paired with depth, leadership, and impact beyond themselves. They weren’t just dreamers — they were doers, innovators, and builders of something bigger.
How You Can Find Your Moment
If you’re wondering where to begin, start here:
Look inward. What activities make you excited? Where have you already shown time, effort, or progress?
Look outward. What contests, challenges, or awards connect to those passions? Ask teachers, search online, or check out what peers in your field have pursued.
Take one small risk. Enter one contest. Apply for one award. Submit one piece. That step alone can open doors and shift how you see yourself — and how colleges will see you, too.
At Ivy Link, we help students like you turn that energy into a clear, authentic path — uncovering the right opportunities, strengthening your profile, and crafting a story that shows colleges exactly who you are and what you’re ready to do next. You’ve already got the passion, the drive, and the spark. We’re not here to make you someone you’re not; we’re here to help you shine even brighter.
If you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a call with us to know how we can best support you.
