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Severn News
Great Citizenship
What are colleges looking for in their applicants?
What do I need to do to get into X school, Ms. Mac?
What does my student need to have an extra edge?
Even though these questions come in different forms, at their core, they all echo the same worries about worthiness, belonging, and possibility—questions that linger far beyond college applications and reach into the heart of launching into adulthood.
My response is always nuanced and directly related to the student and family’s needs in front of me. If I answer these questions for a broader audience, I turn to the analysis of what colleges are looking for: great citizens. If you didn’t know, Severn is also looking for great citizens, and ultimately, what the world is looking for are great citizens—students who will contribute meaningfully and who will not only succeed but also shape the world around them.
As students assess what citizenship looks like for them, they should consider the following:
- How am I challenging myself intellectually, showing curiosity, resilience, and a desire to grow?
- How do I give back to my community, showing empathy, initiative, and a sense of responsibility?
- How do I pursue my interests with purpose, going deep rather than broad, and doing so with intention?
- How do I work in collaborative settings, showing leadership, teamwork, and commitment in group efforts?
Every environment is in need of great citizens, yet it is incumbent upon students to identify where they can step in and grow into that role. The Severn community is a smart place to start, and if they feel lost, they should ask one of the incredible adults in the school for ideas on how to be a great citizen.
PRO TIP FOR STUDENTS: Students should start a brag sheet of all they have accomplished (academic, extracurricular, spiritual, physical, emotional, etc.) beginning in their 9th-grade year—in their phone, a notebook, or a Google Doc. Keep the brag sheet where you can find it. You will be helping your future self remember what you did, how it felt, and what you did to accomplish it. This inventory will be especially helpful for your junior and senior years when you take stock of your experiences, which will help you create a strong application and (more importantly) identify which colleges are looking for students just like YOU!
