The Arena of Differentiation
Why the extras may take intention, but don't have to be manufactured.
One of my sons spent much of his childhood on my in-laws’ land in rural Alabama, and out of that experience came a strong interest in forestry. For most of his first three high school years, he carried that conviction with real confidence, often saying “I think this is my path.”
Two experiences, though, nudged him in a new direction.
Experience One: A Real-World Setting. During his junior year spring break, he shadowed at a hardwood lumber company. I had met the owners at an event and arranged for him to spend a day seeing how forestry work translates into production. Within an hour, he realized it was not what he wanted to do. It was an eye-opening look at the realities of the field, small-town living, and very hard (hot) work.
Experience Two: Doing Something Extra in a New Arena. Around the same time, he wrote a paper on environmental policy for National History Day (NHD). His curiosity expanded from the trees themselves to the systems and decisions that govern how we care for our natural resources.
Just this week, a friend with deep knowledge of college counseling sent me a short Instagram reel about NHD, knowing my son had participated, prompting me to compose this reflection. What struck me was how true it felt to our own experience. This wasn’t a manufactured resume item or an expensive summer program. It was something his APUSH teacher had woven into the class year after year, turning what might have been just another assignment into a signature program where students feel their work matters and the school shines.
When intellectual curiosity takes root in that kind of environment, differentiation isn’t manufactured—it’s nurtured. In my son’s case, his paper grew into something so central to what he hopes to pursue that this same friend wisely suggested we create a one-page abstract: a brief overview of his NHD project, why it mattered to him, and how it connects to his future goals. That summary can then be submitted as a supplemental document with his college applications.
That’s the thing about differentiators. We often assume the experiences that set students apart have to be unusual: global service trips, high-profile internships, or pricey summer intensives. But the most transformative moments often happen when a student takes one step further than required. And what a gift when they are guided by a teacher who believes the work matters.
Why Extras Matter
NHD looks like a competition on the surface: papers, websites, performances, or documentaries. But in reality, it is a masterclass in research, writing, and critical thinking. Students learn how to ask real questions, chase original ideas, and connect past to present. For my son, the process did more than sharpen his writing. It sparked an unexpected passion for environmental policy. What began as “just another project” became months of research and a glimpse of what it means to think like a scholar.
I watched his true interests take shape in real time. On a college trip early in his research, he asked what he would say if the school didn’t have forestry. I suggested we check the list of majors. When he spotted environmental policy, he immediately connected it to his paper. I hadn’t even realized that was his direction yet. Today, that very school—one we visited only because we were nearby, and one without forestry—is his top choice. Seeing his interest evolve through exploration, writing, and faculty support has been a joy.
The Bigger Picture
Zooming out, there is another layer here. National support for the humanities is shrinking. Earlier this year, the current administration canceled a slate of humanities grants, some already in progress, leaving organizations scrambling. These were not abstract research dollars. They supported projects on Jewish American history, community storytelling, and local history initiatives. Cuts like these ripple outward, limiting the opportunities available to schools, museums, and local communities.
That makes programs like NHD more than resume builders. They preserve habits of mind such as critical thinking, historical perspective, and evidence-based argument. These are the very skills our democracy depends on. When schools choose to champion programs like this, they are not just giving students a leg up in admissions. They are ensuring that curiosity and deep learning continue to have a place in our culture.
Why It All Matters
For students, stepping into a new arena—whether it is history day, a science fair, or an original research paper—is often the first taste of what it means to own their learning. For schools, signature programs become a differentiator and a public statement of values. And for all of us, they are reminders that curiosity, when nurtured, grows into the kind of scholarship and citizenship we desperately need.
Parent takeaway: If you want to know what will make your child’s application stand out, look for the extras that connect to an academic thread. They may be built into school, pursued independently, or championed by a teacher. The real differentiators are not manufactured. They are discovered when students are willing to take that extra step into a new arena (often with a little nudge from you-know-who).
Examples of 15 NHD-Like Differentiators: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Science Olympiad
FIRST Robotics / VEX Robotics
Envirothon
Model United Nations (Model UN)
Mock Trial
Debate Team / Forensics
National Science Fair / Regeneron ISEF
Math Competitions (AMC, AIME, MathCounts)
National Economics Challenge
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
History or Civics Essay Contests (e.g., JFK Profiles in Courage)
High School Research Programs (summer or school-based)
Youth-in-Government / Junior State of America
Journalism or Literary Magazine
STEM Olympiads (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Linguistics)