<p>OP–</p>
<p>I really don’t think there is any one or two or even fifteen things you need to have on your resume that will make anyone an irresistible candidate. Every admissions interviewer and every school looks for different things. </p>
<p>And schools are looking for diversity in their enrolling class. Thus by definition, they aren’t looking for a perfect “check off the boxes” candidate–they’re looking for someone who can contribute something unique to the class.</p>
<p>And what they look for goes beyond volunteerism, grades, scores, ECs. I’ve known of candidates who got rejected for being overweight/obese, for being too thin, for being “arrogant,” for “lacking self-confidence,” for being too quiet, for being outspoken, for being late to the interview, for spending 2 years in the Peace Corp, for not showing enough commitment to the local community, for dressing unprofessionally…</p>
<p>mmmcdowe speaks the truth about what the dream admit looks like. But even then, it’s not a sure thing.</p>
<p>You just do your best and be sincere and see what happens.</p>
<p>(Oh, and have a Plan B, just in case…)</p>