I see a lot of good advice offered here by several knowledgeable people. Still, one important detail is missing. You will strengthen your application considerably by stating that you intend to involve undergraduates in your research, ideally with an aim at publishing in peer-reviewed journals. If you decide to mention this in your cover letter -- also reiterate it in your research statement.

This will give you extra points for the obvious reason that an undergrad doing research (especially with a paper published or a conference talk presented) has a higher chance of getting admitted to a better graduate school -- which would add to the profile of the college.

I see a lot of good advice offered here by several knowledgeable people. Still, one important detail is missing. You will strengthen your application considerably by stating that you intend to involve undergraduates in your research, ideally with an aim at publishing in peer-reviewed journals. If you decide to mention this in your cover letter -- also reiterate it in your research statement.

This will give you extra points for the obvious reason that an undergrad doing research (especially with a paper published or a conference talk presented) has a higher chance of getting admitted to a better graduate school -- which will add to the profile of the college.