@sansculottes, this page from Harvard’s admission site on their holistic process is useful as far as understanding how “packaging” and presentation can make a difference.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/what-we-look
They ask some of the following questions:
- What choices have you made for yourself? Why?
- How have you used your time?
- Do you have initiative? Are you a self-starter? What motivates you?
- Do you have a direction yet? What is it? If not, are you exploring many things?
- Do you care deeply about anything—intellectual? Extracurricular? Personal?
- Have you reached your maximum academic and personal potential?
- Have you been stretching yourself?
- Have you been working to capacity in your academic pursuits, your full-time or part-time employment, or other areas?
- Do you have reserve power to do more?
This piece from Yale Dean of Admissions Kristin Dean highlights many of the same considerations:
http://yalenusadmissionsblog.com/2013/09/28/top-five-tips-from-dean-greene/
These are useful things to think about addressing in your application. An application that shows initiative and direction, that explains underlying motivation and the choices you made, and that shows the potential for more, is likely going to present the applicant in a positive way.