College Applications: The Five Most Important Things
Parents and students are often asking me for the secret underground tips for getting in to the college of their dreams. Rumors abound as to what declaring such-and-such a major can do for someone’s chances, or what magic SAT score will guarantee admission. While some tips and tricks are more valid than others, there are tried-and-true elements that will actually help a student’s chances. Here are the 5 most important components to the application process, and a tip for each one.
Course rigor- This is what college admissions directors consistently tell me is the number one factor when looking at a student’s applications.
Pro-Tip: Don’t take the “Easy A” for your GPA. Challenge yourself each year of high school, and start early your freshman year. If you get an A in a standard class, consider Honors, AP, or dual-enrollment in that subject area for the next level.
Extracurriculars - This section doesn’t just mean school-related extracurriculars like sports and clubs—though those certainly count as well.
Pro-Tip: Think literally about what do you do in your spare time outside of school and write it down. This list says a lot about you, and if it is short and full of only activities like “playing video games,” start to look into other activities you can join in your community.
Essays- You will write several essays throughout your college applications process. One will be the 650-word personal statement essay. The others will be supplemental essays, usually 100-250 words. This is the most qualitative component of your application, and the part over which you have the most control.
Pro-Tip: I have all of my students write two personal statements, and the majority of my students prefer their second essay. Don’t feel stuck or settled on your first one (unless you’re up against the deadline).
Grades- Per item #1 above, GPA isn’t everything. But let’s not kid ourselves, it matters. Above all else, colleges prefer to see growth over the course of high school.
Pro-Tip: Freshman and even sophomore slip-ups aren’t the end of the world, as long as you can dedicate yourself to raising grades in that subject in the following year(s). If your grades have some red flags, consider taking advantage of the personal statement or supplemental essays to write about how you have learned from those experiences.
Standardized Test Scores - While there are many test-optional schools—especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic—test scores are still an important component of the college admissions process.
Pro-Tip: Some schools that are “Test optional” still require test scores if your GPA falls below a particular number or in order to place into certain types of courses in college (usually English and math). Check each of your school’s application websites to see where you stand on the matter, but plan on taking at least one test once (SAT/ACT).
Bonus Pro-Tips: Use fairtest.org to see which schools are test optional. Community colleges are test-optional.
