One of the most critical
aspects of college admission is recognizing that being eligible for college, does not equal being admitted to universities with impacted majors
or programs.
Students often ask,
"What can I do to guarantee admission to a top ranked college?"
The honest answer is,
"Nothing."
There are no guarantees
for students hoping for admission to highly selective schools, but there are
some guidelines that can enhance their applications. Impacted colleges turn
away more applicants than they accept. Frequently those denied admission exceeded
the admission requirements and were well-qualified. This is why everyone needs a backup plan – an
application submitted to a college where goals can be met and admission is
assured.
Students struggle to
understand the disappointment and ask, “How could a college not want ME?” While it’s not personal when students are
denied admission, it still feels that way. I always suggest that students research the
freshman admission requirements college by college. If the highly selective admissions
criteria says, “recommended,” students should consider it “required.”
This is true of testing
requirements. While some colleges do not require SAT Subject Exams, many use
them if they are on a student’s application. Some colleges use SAT Subject
Exams for placing students in impacted majors. So anyone applying to a top tier
university is advised to sit for at least two or three SAT Subject Exams in different
subjects.
Frequently activities are listed
as a section on an application. This section allows an admissions counselor to
see how the student will enrich their campus. Colleges are already crammed with
students who sit in the library all day. Top tier schools are always looking
for bright, curious minds who find pleasure in interesting hobbies, sports or
activities. Competitive colleges seek out passionate, active, interesting
applicants who will contribute to the vitality of a campus atmosphere. Through activities,
leadership skills often develop, which is another key item college admissions
officials hope to glean from the activity section of an application.
Volunteering is evidence
of being unselfish and aware of the world around you. Students who hope to gain
admission to a top tier schools need meaningful volunteer hours that show a
depth of character. Admissions offices are looking for how the world changed
because of the service and most importantly how
the student changed because of the volunteer work. This section of the
application will be more impressive if the student was deeply involved with a
particular organization, took on a leadership role and became an integral part
of the group, rather than someone who just volunteered hundreds of random hours
at various places.
A section on a top tier
college application that often takes students (and parents) by surprise is the
employment section. College admissions officials are looking for students with
maturity and the ability to juggle a tough course load, multiple activities AND
hold down a job. This doesn’t mean all prospective college applicants need to
flip burgers for 20 hours a week, but it does offer students who have jobs in
high school an opportunity to showcase their efforts. It provides a space to
include a life experience that shows another side of the student and it
validates the maturity and effort it takes to balance a busy teenage life.
The best advice
anyone can give prospective students about how to be a strong candidate for a
top tier, highly selective college, is to prepare academically, develop leadership
skills and become emotionally invested in the world around you. The Common App (used
by over 600 colleges around the world) and the University of California both
have entire sections dedicated to academics, test scores, activities, employment
and volunteering. While it’s important to have your brain ready for college, it’s
also important to develop your soft skills, leadership talent and become active
in the community. Not only will this
help your college application, but it is also likely to result in a mature,
satisfied young adult.
