Since college admissions became digital, admissions and merit scholarship competitions have become much more competitive in the last five years. The National Education Association reports that 21 million students apply to U.S. colleges each year and top students now average 8 to 30 college applications. Using merit scholarship competitions as a way to narrow their decision, they now receive quality applications from all over the United States and even the world. Georgia Institute of Technology had 30,520 applications last year, for a goal class size of around 2,800. The top merit scholarship program includes tuition, books, early registration and study abroad opportunities, which are valued at over $100,000 and has a class size around 40 each year.

Perfect SAT scores, double digits of college credit courses, young business owners, and prodigy pianists are just the norm. The decision between top finalists will culminate in an interview that is minutes long with a committee that has a preset list of questions and rubric for how to grade the answers. It is critical to answer questions about leadership, drive, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, maturity, achievements and impact, all while trying to stand out to judges who are scoring every answer.

One student unlocked a new way to tell their story. An iFOLIO digital portfolio that illustrated leadership, achievement, and academics visually. This student moved forward in the admissions process and secured a merit scholarship award valued at over $100,000 to Georgia Institute of Technology.

Today, iFOLIO helps students stand out in the competitive college admissions and merit scholarship competition process by bringing leadership to life through a portfolio of photos, videos, and media targeted to college admissions’ criteria.