How to Boost Your College Application: 6 Key Areas to Focus On

With the Common App officially open, we’ve entered college application season—and while this can feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to. There is so much pressure to choose the perfect college, select the perfect major, and have a perfect social media-worthy experience. Here at Pencil and Purpose, we don’t buy into perfection. However, we do buy into preparation. It all starts with the application.

This is where life drafting comes in. We don’t try to get it “perfect” all at once—we make a plan, take it step-by-step, and adjust as we go. My role? To help you keep the process organized, manage expectations, and reduce the stress and overwhelm that can derail both students and parents.

When it comes to college applications, there are four main pillars: academics (GPA, transcripts, and test scores), activities, the personal essay, and recommendations. By the time you enter senior year, your GPA and transcripts are mostly set—your academic story is largely written. But there’s still plenty you can draft, refine, and strengthen in other areas.

Here are six places you can focus now to build a strong, competitive application:

1. College List – A well-rounded application list

After a thorough college search that includes more than the ones all of your friends are going to, your college list should be a well-rounded reflection of your academic and career goals. It should include a mix of likely, match and reach. We will also discuss your application strategy of early action, early decision, or regular decision.

2. SAT/ACT Scores – Keep your options open.

Even with test-optional trends, it’s wise to take the SAT or ACT. There is still time to take it this fall if you are a senior. Even if you decide not to share scores with your application, there are some scholarships or other opportunities that require a score.

3. The Personal Essay – Your voice on the page.

Your essay is where admissions officers meet you. We’ll brainstorm, draft, edit, and refine your story until it feels authentically you: engaging, personal, and memorable. It’s about insight, not a list of achievements or a research paper. It’s a creative endeavor.

4. Activities & Leadership – Depth over breadth.

The activities section of the Common App is so much more than just a list. This is another opportunity to tell your story of commitment and purposeful action in activities that were meaningful to you. Admissions committees know that you attended meetings or volunteered. This is your chance to discuss your unique contribution to the team, club, or organization. Don’t waste those 50 characters!

5. Demonstrated Interest – Show them you care.

Even if a college says it doesn’t track interest, it never hurts to engage—campus visits, interviews, thoughtful emails, and questions all help. I’ll guide you in building a light, intentional outreach plan so it feels natural, not forced.

6. Recommendations – Choose your champions.The best recommendations come from people who truly know you—both as a student and as a person. I’ll help you identify the right recommenders and set them up with context so their letters stand out.

When we approach this as a drafting process—one step, one decision, one conversation at a time—you avoid the last-minute chaos that leads to stress and missed opportunities. Instead, you gain clarity, confidence, and a sense of control over what can otherwise feel like a whirlwind.