Crafting a successful college application is perhaps the most intimidating challenge you’ve ever taken on, especially if you’re not at the tippy top of your class and you need to demonstrate all of the ways you shine that cannot be measured by statistics and grades. Pressure’s on, right?
Here’s a secret: with a little demonstrated passion and motivation, you’ll stand out amongst your peers. Colleges love self-starting, engaged students who are eager to become apart of their community and there are plenty of reasons why. For starters, every college strives for a high “yield” percentage, which is the percentage of accepted students who enroll at a particular school. In addition, students with less than impeccable test scores and grades who showcase emotional intelligence, drive, and focused investment are attractive members of any student body, and college admissions teams recognize this fact. At the end of the day, computers aren’t evaluating students based on a formulaic calculation. Humans are at the helm of this process, and while that’s not to say that numbers don’t matter, thankfully that human component means acceptance is an exercise in persuasion. Here are 3 powerful ways to leverage that fact.
#1 Connect with the colleges that matter to you
Take college campus tours, meet the admissions teams, and contact the teachers, students, and staff who may share interests with you at the schools you’d be psyched to attend. You might even consider applying early. If a school matters to you, connect with them beyond sending an application. Make sure to mention the ways you’ve learned about and connected with the colleges and universities to which you apply. If you have a consistent track record of prioritizing a particular school, their admissions team will take notice.
#2 Enlist a mentor to write a compelling letter of recommendation
Got a coach, teacher, or mentor who has witnessed your personal growth and character development? Have they seen you reach goals and face academic, athletic, or personal challenges? Great. Ask this person to write a letter of recommendation documenting your transformation. Community members who can vouch for your trustworthiness, work ethic, and commitment can greatly influence your college application’s ability to sway the hearts and minds of its admissions teams.
#3 Write a powerful college essay
It really can’t be overstated: the college essay is your chance to persuade college admissions teams with your words and testimony. It’s a huge opportunity to make a memorable and positive impression while your application is being evaluated, and it’s all in your hands. You might not love your test scores or GPA, but the college essay you write and submit is your opportunity to take control of your narrative and the picture you paint for the colleges you’d love to attend. Harnessing the power of your college essay isn’t as intimidating as it seems. Luckily, we’ve got the information and writing prompts to get started today. Check out our recent blog post, How To Write an Inspired College Essay.
Now is the time when most students are hyper-focused on college applications. Emotions are heightened and plenty of young adults are feeling insecure and regretful about not having perfect test scores, grades, and accomplishments. It’s time to recalibrate and remember that while those factors are important, they’re not the only persuasive component of a successful college application. Plenty of straight-A students get rejected from schools while others with less perfect grades get accepted based on their character and strengths. Nothing in life is a guarantee, but there’s one thing for certain: you won’t reach your goals without the will to actively pursue them, and the college admissions process is a prime example of that truth.
Good luck and get in touch with the AdmissionSmarts team for specialized guidance and expert help on your college admissions journey.