"I wish I did theater!"
It's not a phrase my friend and I thought we'd say, growing up encouraged to pursue math and science. But it’s true, and that’s because soft skills matter. In college admissions and beyond, these skills—communication, empathy, resilience, teamwork—are becoming increasingly recognized as the key to not only getting into college but also thriving afterward.
Soft skills complement the technical knowledge that college admissions officers and future employers look for in students and professionals. While academic performance and test scores give a snapshot of someone’s intelligence and drive, soft skills reveal how that individual will contribute to a community, handle setbacks, and grow within complex and collaborative environments. They go beyond “knowing the answer” and touch on being adaptable, curious, and able to work well with others—all attributes that enrich a person’s academic and professional life.
Soft Skills are Key in College Admissions
In the US college admissions system, admissions officers want to understand applicants as people, not just as a collection of grades and SAT scores. They use college essays, interviews and recommendation letters to look beyond their applicants’ academic skillset. Is this person a leader in their community? Have they shown resilience overcoming personal challenges? Can they write and speak with philosophical depth about their life experiences?
So, How Can Students Build and Demonstrate Soft Skills?
Luckily, there are many opportunities for high school students to build soft skills:
Become a Team Player
Team sports are a natural fit for learning teamwork – from lifting teammates when they’re down to working together for a common goal, team sports are a great way for students to become a team player. But they’re certainly not the only way. Students can join many extracurricular activities that involve collaboration: robotics, marching band and theater are just some examples!
Embrace Leadership with Purpose
Demonstrating leadership is crucial for college admissions, because admissions officers are looking for students who will have a positive impact on campus. Students can develop and show their leadership skills by taking on a leadership role in a student organization – Class Council or National Honor Society, for example. Students may also pursue a “capstone activity” in which they build and lead their own project, whether working on a community service project, conducting scientific research, or starting a startup or social enterprise.
Cultivate Genuine Empathy
College admissions officers are looking for students with broad life experiences that lend themselves to high empathy and emotional intelligence. Students might broaden their perspective by volunteering with local charities, or even leading their own non-profit organizations to make a difference in the world. Students may also participate in cultural clubs or engage with activism that demonstrates their global awareness. Through these opportunities, students can become more empathetic and better understand the world around them.
Unleash Your Creativity
Creativity is often seen as an innate trait, but it can definitely be cultivated. Students can expand their creative potential—and improve their college applications—through opportunities in the arts. Whether by taking painting classes, participating in theater productions, or engaging in musical endeavors, students can develop their creative skills while broadening their personal and academic experiences. Students might even pursue new hobbies at home – photography, cooking, writing and even web design are all skills students can nurture to become more creative.
How Can Students Show Their Soft Skills?
Building soft skills is one thing, but showing them is another. Students can show their soft skills throughout the college admissions process by being thoughtful and reflective about the stories that they are telling in their essays, interviews, and recommendation letters. Each of these aspects of the college admissions process is an opportunity to show teamwork, leadership, empathy, creativity, and more.
Soft skills are not an optional supplement to academic achievements—they're a vital part of a successful application. By developing and showing these skills, students not only strengthen their college applications but also prepare themselves for meaningful contributions on campus and beyond.
Want to develop your soft skills, and have something to show for it? Not sure where to start? Start a Capstone Project Mentorship Program with one of our experts here at Hermiona and boost your admissions portfolio today!
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