The Rise of “Character and Impact” as Admissions Differentiators

Another defining trend is the increasing emphasis on authentic character, particularly demonstrated through consistent leadership, community engagement, and meaningful “impact.”

This is a relatively new one.  In my time providing college counseling, this has emerged only recently.

Colleges—responding to concerns about fairness, AI-driven essays, and homogeneous extracurricular portfolios—now look deeply at how students show up, not just what they list on their applications.

This trend is especially relevant for students at East Lyme High School, where many students have strong academics but struggle to distinguish themselves among applicants with similar profiles.

Why Colleges Are Focusing More on Character

• Recommendation letters carry more weight

• Activities are evaluated for depth over breadth

• Colleges value resilience, initiative, and authenticity

• “Impact stories” matter more than a list of disconnected activities

AI has made essays easier to generate. What colleges want is proof of real-world engagement.

A Story from East Lyme: “Maya from Niantic”

Maya, an East Lyme senior, had solid grades and played varsity soccer, but she felt indistinguishable from many peers. Her early college list included schools like UConn Honors, Providence College, and Elon.

In our meetings, she mentioned—almost in passing—that she spent her summers volunteering at the Niantic Children’s Museum, where she helped redesign interactive exhibits for younger children. This was not resume-padding; it was authentic service she genuinely loved.

We helped her transform that experience into a compelling narrative emphasizing initiative, community impact, and a sustained commitment to service.

Her recommendation letters echoed her reliability and leadership.
The result? She was admitted to Elon with a merit scholarship.

Professional conclusion: Character, depth, and authenticity now matter as much as raw metrics. Students who demonstrate meaningful impact stand out.