Reflect upon your past successes in academic projects, jobs, internships, and volunteer and campus activities. Identify personal attributes that enabled you to achieve success in those roles. Consider asking professors to write recommendations for you so you can gain an understanding of how they have viewed your academic work. Other forms of recognition, such as honors for academic achievement, awards for leadership, or performance bonuses, can be mentioned as evidence that particular qualities helped you excel in academic, co-curricular, or employment arenas.

"My civil engineer professor and academic advisor recently nominated me to be the student representative to the engineering department. They cited my leadership ability and presentation skills as reasons for the nomination."