Overview

To increase the opportunities of your becoming a competitive candidate for college admissions and scholarship consideration, you must develop your gifts and talents. Consider the question, “Am I devoting my time and making a significant contribution to activities that showcase my gifts, talents, and leadership attributes?” Students who have committed years to musical training or athletic development; engaged in spoken word or dance competitions; started a nonprofit or business; and committed themselves to stellar academic achievement have developed a clearly-define ‘Hook.’ A ‘Hook’ is something special that stands you apart from other students. Athletes are recruited and the same is true for musicians, dancers, artists, and students with top grades and test scores. This activity requires that you consider whether or not you are working to developing your gifts and talents.

The ‘Video – Ways of Being Smart’ provides an overview of each of the areas in which you might demonstrate gifts or talents, which will be covered in this activity.

Objective

Engage in a self-examination of your gifts and talents and identify those areas that may be further developed throughout your middle school and high school experiences to qualify for scholarships or expand your college admission opportunities.

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

Guiding Questions

  • What are my gifts and talents, and am I developing them to the level necessary to influence college admissions and scholarship opportunities?
  • Am I maximizing opportunities within my school and community to develop my gifts, earn recognition, and serve in leadership roles?