Have you ever eaten at a stir-fry buffet? If you’re like me, you eagerly scope out the huge array of choices, and then proceed to cram your bowl with as much steak and vegetables as you can get away with before people start staring. We can’t help ourselves. Why? Because we know that we only get one shot. Learning how applying to college is no different.
12 Simple Admission Strategies for College:
During the college search, more is not always better
Watching students navigate the college application process reminds me of my compulsive actions at the buffet. Stressed and desperate, kids tend to grab as much as they can. Information sources like Unigo offer bountiful data and resources. But, just like my overly abundant bowl of stir fry, more is not always better. Too much information can be confusing and can make decisions even more difficult. For most kids, the application process happens in one pass with huge pressure to make the right choices. The Internet can be dense and mind-numbing, and most students have never had to research extensively from multiple sources, let alone discern a useful answer from an unhelpful one.
College preparation is the time to be picky
There is no need to binge; be selective in where you search for information. Here are 12 smart answers to the most important questions that I am asked every year regarding college application strategy. These answers will make your application stronger and save you some “heartburn” along the way.
What is the #1 most important factor that colleges look at when reviewing an application?
The rigor and grades on your high school transcript is the #1 most important factor in the review. Colleges take into account how much you challenged yourself by taking hard classes like honors and AP courses when considering your grades. Colleges want to see the best grades in the hardest classes you can manage.
Will colleges check my social media?
More and more colleges are checking Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Clean up all your social media, especially pictures. No profanity, no evidence of drugs or alcohol, no bullying remarks, no sketchy links. Make sure that there is nothing on any of your social networks that will embarrass you. Check all of your feeds.
What if the teacher writing my recommendation doesn’t know me well?
If you can’t find an alternative teacher to write your recommendation, make it your business to make sure the designated teacher gets to know you. Make an appointment to visit with the teacher. Hand-deliver your resume along with a cover letter (Cookies work well here too). Include in your letter a big thank you to the teacher and tell her how much you have enjoyed class. Mention a couple of stand-out moments that you have had in class. For extra brownie points, you could elaborate on how your teacher has inspired you to pursue your passion and future goals.
Is an A grade in a regular class better than a B in an Honors or AP class?
Colleges want confirmation that you are challenging yourself. They don’t reward lazy or unmotivated students. Take the harder class, and do your best (even if your best is a B). Stay after school for extra help, or get a tutor if you can. You may surprise yourself and even pull off that A.
Don’t colleges want well-rounded students?
Most colleges are not looking for well-rounded kids anymore, (especially the highly selective colleges). Colleges are looking for a well-rounded class. A good admission strategy for college is to try to stand out and be “pointy”. Show admissions that you are really good at a specific pursuit or interest. Prove that you have demonstrated a deep and long-standing dedication to this passion. Don’t join a new activity senior year just to pad your resume.
What makes a successful personal statement?
The essay is your most powerful opportunity. Be bold. Be interesting. Take a risk. Do not be afraid to be imperfect. Show a new or distinctive point of view by using your authentic voice. Colleges do not want to see your resume repeated in your essay; they already have that information elsewhere in your application. Make sure your essay adds value to your application. You don’t have to have a big story to get noticed. Some of the best essays share little moments or a small slice of life. Remember, YOU are the subject. The biggest complaint from college admission reps: boring essays. Please, don’t be boring.
If I don’t qualify for need-based financial aid, do I still have a chance at scholarship money?
Merit aid is offered by many state and private schools to students with good test scores and/or exceptional talent. Many schools are very generous with merit aid and will offer a merit aid scholarship automatically. You might be surprised at how many schools are giving away money. In many cases, you do not have to file a special form or application for merit aid.
Does senior year count?
Senior year counts. Get ready to work hard both semesters of senior year. Athletes, this goes for you too. Schools will ask for a mid-year report and will consider these grades. Schools will also look at attendance trends and note if you have dropped a core class for an elective or study hall. Plan to show up to school and don’t drop any classes unless you have an exceptionally good reason. Work hard and finish strong.
Which standardized test do colleges prefer, the SAT or the ACT?
Colleges don’t care whether you take the SAT or the ACT. As of 2012, the ACT was more popular than the SAT for the first time in history. Even the Ivy League schools don’t have a preference. Find the test that suits you best and run with it. Don’t waste precious time flip-flopping back and forth between tests. If you take the test multiple times over multiple sittings, be aware that many schools will superscore the SAT, but will not superscore the ACT.
To how many colleges should I apply?
Build a solid college list at the beginning of the process. Research and visit campuses if you can. Every school on your list should be a good match: fitting your academic, financial and social needs. Love every school on your list. For some kids, 1 or 2 schools might be enough. Most of my kids apply to an average of 8 schools. Make sure that your list includes a range of selectivity: choose 2-3 solid schools that you are more than likely to get into, 2-3 schools that are hitting your sweet spot as target schools, and 2-3 schools that are a reach. Do yourself a favor; don’t get hung up on prestige.
What is demonstrated interest?
Demonstrated interest is the popular term that colleges use to figure out how much you really like them. Think of it as a way for colleges to measure the likelihood that you will attend. Colleges like you to show this kind of love because it makes them believe that the more love you show, the more likely the chances of you attending. Take my advice; show the colleges some love. You can show demonstrated interest in many ways: open all incoming correspondence including emails, visit campus – sign in and take the tour, visit your local admission rep when they are in your town, and apply ED or EA. Demonstrated interest can play a key role when you are trying to get off a waitlist.
What is the difference between applying Early Decision and Early Action?
Early Decision (ED) is the application process where you make a commitment to your first choice college and if admitted you definitely will attend. Under ED, you must sign a contract stating that you will attend. When you apply early decision, you may apply to other institutions, but you may only have one ED application pending at any one time. The only way to get out of an early decision acceptance is if you are offered a financial aid award that does not make it possible for you to attend. This is the only case in which you can be released from an Early Decision commitment. Early Action (EA) is the application process where you can apply to a college that you have a strong preference for. Here you will receive a decision well in advance of the college’s regular response date. EA applications are nonbinding, so you are not obligated to accept. As long as the EA plan is non-restrictive, you may apply to other schools. Check out our informative infographic to help decide if ED or EA is the right decision for you!