Community work is great but it’s even better if you create something unique that is authentic to your interests.

AJC reports.

How to stand out when applying to your dream college

If you’re going into your junior or senior year of high school, the thought of applying to college is probably in the forefront of your mind.

Competition is more intense than ever, with select colleges having acceptance rates in the single digits (5.2% for Harvard, 5.1% for MIT, 6.3% for Yale), meaning 1 out of 20 get accepted; 19 out of 20 do not. Additionally, one million international students will enroll in U.S. colleges this year.

Being valedictorian, Eagle Scout, or National Merit Scholar is not as unique as it once was, so along with good grades, you can compete differently and stand out above your competition when applying to the college of your dreams.