Read (And Then Read Some More!)

Reading is one of the most underrated college prep tools available to high school students. Beyond being a great escape, consistent reading builds the intellectual habits that college courses demand — and signals to admissions committees that you are a curious, engaged learner.

Whether you read for pleasure, professional interest, or test prep, the benefits compound over time. Here is why carving out reading time — even thirty minutes a day — is one of the smartest investments you can make in your future.

• Reading Strengthens Your Vocabulary and Writing

  Students who read widely absorb vocabulary in context, which is far more effective than memorizing word lists. When you encounter a word repeatedly across different books, articles, or essays, its meaning becomes intuitive — and you begin to use it naturally in your own writing.

  Reading also models strong writing at every level: sentence structure, argumentation, pacing, and voice. Students who read broadly find it easier to organize ideas, build evidence-based arguments, and communicate with precision — skills that show up in every college essay, AP exam, and classroom discussion.

  AP, IB, and College Courses Are Reading-Intensive

  Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses require substantial reading — not just of textbooks, but of primary sources, literary texts, and analytical essays. Students who already have strong reading stamina find these courses far more manageable than those who are building that muscle from scratch.

  College is an even bigger step up. Many university courses assign hundreds of pages per week, and the expectation is that you come to class having not only read but also synthesized the material. Building a reading habit in high school is the single best way to prepare for that workload.

  Reading Raises Your Test Scores

  The SAT, ACT, and English proficiency tests like the TOEFL and IELTS are fundamentally reading comprehension tests. The reading and writing sections reward students who can quickly parse dense passages, identify an author's argument, and evaluate the strength of evidence. These are not skills you can cram in the weeks before a test — they develop over years of consistent reading.

  Students who read regularly also tend to perform better on the essay components of standardized tests and in timed writing situations, because they have internalized what well-constructed prose looks and feels like.

  Reading Deepens Your Expertise and Interests

  Colleges — especially selective ones — are looking for students who have pursued their interests with genuine depth, not just checked extracurricular boxes. Reading is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate intellectual investment in a subject. If you are interested in environmental science, reading books like The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert shows that you are thinking beyond the classroom. If you are passionate about music composition, reading about the lives and creative processes of composers like John Adams or Caroline Shaw positions you as someone who takes your craft seriously.

  Niche publications — journals, literary magazines, specialized blogs, and long-form outlets like The Atlantic, Pitchfork, or Hyperallergic — are also excellent resources. Following publications relevant to your intended major shows admissions readers that your curiosity extends beyond assigned coursework.

  Reading Builds Empathy — and Admissions Essays

  Literature, memoir, and narrative nonfiction expose you to perspectives and experiences far outside your own. Research consistently shows that reading fiction increases empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. That capacity is something colleges and future employers value deeply.

  Reading also gives you material. The best college essays often draw on specific books, ideas, or stories that genuinely moved the writer — not because they were supposed to be impressive, but because they actually were. When you read broadly, you collect a richer palette of references to draw from when you sit down to write.

  Colleges and Interviewers Ask About Your Reading

  Many selective colleges — including MIT, Stanford, and several liberal arts colleges — ask applicants to list books they have read recently that were not assigned for class. This question is not a formality. Admissions readers use it to get a sense of who you are outside the classroom and whether you engage with ideas on your own initiative. A thoughtful, specific list speaks volumes.

  College interviews often go there, too. "What's a book you've read recently that you'd recommend?" is a classic interview question — and one that catches unprepared students off guard. Start keeping a running list of what you read, along with a sentence or two about what stuck with you. A simple note on your phone or a running document on your desktop is enough. When interview season comes, you will be glad you tracked it.

  Ready to build a college list that fits who you are as a student and an artist? Best Fit Education works with students and families to find the right programs, strengthen applications, and navigate every step of the arts college process.