The student with the wider range of interests is the top choice in that scenario.

Why? It’s simple: not only will the college be more enriched, but research shows that college students who have at least one significant outside interest are more likely to be successful.

Your last two years of high school is the time to solidify your involvement. If you have so many minor activities that you don’t have time for more significant commitments, it may be time to substitute quality for quantity. If you’ve just been focusing on school, it’s not too late to get involved. Find a few activities that give you the opportunity to contribute to your school or community.

A job counts. Working is a valued activity. While high schoolers are more likely to be flipping burgers than managing the restaurant, successfully balancing school and a job says a lot about a person. Volunteer and community service activities are also wonderful ways to round out a resume—and you might even get something out of it!