If you’ve started to consider filling out university applications, you’re probably left wondering what they’re really looking for and how you can stand out from the thousands of other applicants.
You might be surprised to learn that for the top universities, it’s not just about getting straight A’s. It’s a lot more involved.
But luckily there's a proven formula you can use to capture the attention of the admissions committee.
In this guide, we’re sharing it with you. We’ll break down successful university application examples and give you the strategies our students have used to get into competitive programs and unlock millions in entrance awards.
Ready to learn the winning formula?
The Winning Formula
Your GPA isn’t the only thing that matters in a university application.
You know how some people just have that “flare” about them that makes other people pay attention? A great university application has the same magnetism.
To create a standout university application, you’ll need:
1. A Compelling Narrative
Your application should read like a captivating story. Take the committee through your character arc, including conflict, resolution, and growth.
2. Demonstrated Roles
Use bright, engaging language to demonstrate the key roles that admissions officers are looking for. They might be extracurriculars, volunteer activities, or personal hobbies and projects.
To help you navigate the process and develop your profile, we’ve developed the 2-2-1 formula.
You should aim to demonstrate all of the following:
- 2 Initiator roles: Spearheading school initiatives, clubs and other types of passion projects that showcase your innovation.
- 2 Leadership roles: Stepping up to lead already-existing organizations, teams, clubs or other groups to demonstrate your ability to be a leader.
- 1 Member role: Joining an organization, club or sport that demonstrates your commitment to something bigger than yourself.
These roles are demonstrated over the course of several years, so the earlier you can start, the better.
3. Alignment with University Values
Tie your experiences, goals, and interests into the same things that your target university values. Are they proud to be home to so many community leaders? Explain how you fit into that archetype.
This shows you’re a good fit for their specific university.
4. STAR Method Mastery
The STAR method is a structured approach to creating compelling essays that tell your story.
It uses four elements:
- Situation: Describe the context of your experience. What was the setting? What challenges or opportunities were present?
- Task: Explain the specific task or goal you took on. What were you responsible for achieving?
- Action: Describe the specific steps you took to address the situation or complete the task. Focus on your individual contributions and the actions you personally took.
- Result: Highlight the positive outcomes of your actions. What did you achieve? How did your actions impact others or the situation? Quantify your results whenever possible (e.g., "raised $5,000," "increased participation by 20%," "mentored 15 students").
Use the STAR method in your supplemental essays to tie together all the other parts of the formula and demonstrate that you have the ideal profile the university is looking for.
Behind The Scenes of a Successful Application
Want a glimpse into what a standout application looks like?
Take a look at Alex and how he crafted a well-rounded profile that demonstrated key roles and portrayed himself as passionate, driven, and ready to succeed.
- Academics: Alex earned a 92% average in high school, with both AP and IB classes in the mix. He also pursued independent research in environmental science, demonstrating his intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning.
- Profile: Alex was captain of the debate team, co-founded a sustainability club, and volunteered at a local environmental organization. These activities proved he was a leader with initiative, even when he wasn’t being graded.
- Supplemental Essay: Alex's essay focused on his experience volunteering at a local community garden. He described the challenges he faced in organizing the project, the teamwork involved, and the positive impact it had on the community.
AdmissionPrep.com was proud to see Alex’s strong blend of academic performance and diverse experiences earn him a spot at his top-choice university, and also win him a sizable entrance award.
Our team of expert mentors can help guide you, too – and we even guarantee admission for qualifying students. To find out if you qualify for guaranteed acceptance, take our Program Assessment Quiz today.
Supplementary Essay Snippet Examples
Want to see how a great application handles the essay portion? Here are some examples that have mastered the STAR method and follow the winning formula.
Please note that some minor details have been changed to protect the privacy of the applicants.
Example 1: The Small-Town Dreamer
- Prompt: In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell explores the idea that success does not derive simply from a person's character or talents or ability, but also about the accumulation of their experiences and opportunities, and notes that "Who we are cannot be separated from where we're from." Tell us about where you're from, and how it has shaped who you are.
- Example Essay Response:
I grew up in a remote fishing town, and this experience shaped my dream of becoming a healthcare professional in countless ways. Having only a single-story hospital and limited access to specialists, our community relied heavily on the dedication of our local healthcare providers.
It wasn't until my grandfather suffered a stroke that I truly appreciated the importance of accessible healthcare.
Witnessing the health crisis’ impact on my family opened my eyes to the challenges that those in rural areas face on a daily basis. However, the compassionate care our local doctors and nurses provided, despite their limited resources, lit a spark in me to pursue a career in medicine and make a real difference in underserved communities.
Even though my town didn’t offer the same academic opportunities that larger cities did, growing up there instilled a strong sense of community and taught me the importance of accessible healthcare. This unique upbringing has not only fueled my passion for medicine but also shaped my values and aspirations as a future healthcare professional.
I dream of becoming a doctor who not only treats patients, but advocates for equal health care access. I’m grateful that my roots have shown me that healthcare is more than just treating illness, it's about empowering communities and ensuring everyone has the same opportunity to thrive.
- STAR Breakdown:
- Situation: The writer grew up in a town that didn’t have good healthcare opportunities.
- Task: The writer decided to work in the medical field.
- Action: The writer was inspired by healthcare providers during a family health crisis.
- Result: The writer became committed to accessible healthcare and community health initiatives.
- Why This Essay Works:
- Uses STAR to tell an engaging story.
- Connects personally to the applicant.
- Showcases resilience, empathy, and community health interest – qualities the target university values.
- Links the writer’s upbringing to their career goals, which is the call for the prompt.
Example 2: The Founder of "Let's Talk Mental Health"
- Prompt: Consider all the extracurricular activities (community involvement, paid and/or volunteer work experience, entrepreneurial ventures), that you have been involved in during the past four years. Select two (2) activities that you feel demonstrate your leadership abilities best. Focus your description on elements that demonstrate: leadership, teamwork, initiative, achievement, commitment, and breadth. Each description should focus on one activity only (500 words).
- Activity: Founded and led a youth-driven charity focused on mental health awareness.
I was really bothered by how little people knew about mental illness and all the false information being spread in my community. At the same time, it was obvious to me how my classmates were missing out on the right information and support to make smart decisions about their health. The lack of discussion around this issue felt painful to me. I couldn't just stand by and watch, I felt compelled to take action.
As a teenager at sixteen, I took the initiative to create "Let's Talk Mental Health," aiming to educate peers with up-to-date information and raise awareness about mental health through our non-profit efforts. It wasn't easy. I had to convince my school to let me use a classroom for meetings, rally a group of like-minded friends to join me, and even face some pushback from adults who thought I was "too young" to tackle such a sensitive issue. It was hard, but something inside me told me to keep pushing.
Our first challenge was figuring out how to reach our target audience – other high school students. Traditional awareness campaigns felt outdated and ineffective. So, I chose to go with a more imaginative route instead. We held various workshops where people learned through doing – whether it was role-playing real life situations or creating artwork related to what they studied. It really helped everyone find the info relatable. By tapping into social media, we spread our message far and wide. Partnering with local schools allowed us to give lively presentations that did much more than list statistics.
All that effort turned out to be worth it in the end. In just one year, we managed to share our message of learning and self-confidence with over 2000 young minds. The awareness event we organized was a resounding success. Local groups joined forces with health professionals and individuals living with mental illness to share personal stories that really opened up conversations in our community. But perhaps the most impactful initiative we launched was a peer-to-peer mentorship program. Mentors who understood their struggles reached out to help our youth by offering guidance along with fostering a strong sense of community. Seeing the difference these relationships made for young folks grappling with such issues was really something special.
I discovered through "Let's Talk Mental Health" that true leadership isn't just about holding a position. It's recognizing when something needs to be done, stepping up to address it, and inspiring others to join you in the effort. Pushing through tough times, thinking outside the box, and genuinely making a positive impact are what it's all about.
Going through all of this solidified how much I care about health services. It's inspired me not just academically but also personally. I'm ready now more than ever before to fight hard on behalf of mentally ill patients while pushing forward real progress.
STAR Breakdown:
- Situation: Identified a community need for mental health awareness and support.
- Task: Founded and led a youth-focused organization to address the lack of mental health support.
- Action: Created workshops, school partnerships, and mentorship programs.
- Result: Organized community events and created a support network for youth that reached more than 500 students.
Why This Essay Works:
- Demonstrates initiative, leadership, social responsibility, and the ability to address real-world problems.
- Highlights creative thinking and perseverance.
- Aligns with the target university’s values of community building and peer support.
How AdmissionPrep.com Guarantees You Get In
Creating a compelling university application can feel overwhelming, especially because each program has different criteria and a unique application process. The good news is that you don’t have to stumble through this process alone.
Think of AdmissionPrep.com as your partner with the proven formula. We know what committees look for and what makes applicants stand out because we’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t.
In fact, AdmissionPrep.com has helped thousands of students craft applications that got them into their top choice universities across the country with scholarships to help relieve the financial burden.
The vast amount of data behind our formula has allowed us to refine our selection process and offer a guarantee to the 15% of applicants we’re confident we can help.
Here’s our promise to qualifying students:
You’ll gain admission into one of your top five schools or you don’t pay.
Find out if you qualify by taking our Program Assessment Quiz today.
Your Winning Application
The best university applications are a potent mixture of good grades and, more importantly, unique experiences, tangible passion, and individuality.
The roles you demonstrate and the way you present yourself through your essay all combine to create a powerful narrative that captures the attention of an admissions committee.
If you want help implementing the winning formula and creating a profile that truly stands out, we’re here for you. AdmissionPrep.com’s expert mentors help narrow in on your specific goals and background so that you can create an application that’s truly you. From brainstorming essay topics to offering constructive feedback and even mock interview practice, we’ll make sure you’re confident and ready.
Want guaranteed admission? Take the first step toward your dream university by filling out our free Program Assessment Quiz and seeing if you qualify.
