WSCA College Planning

Spring and Summer are Important for College Applicants

Acceptance at top tier colleges is often viewed as a mystery. Highly selective schools boast about the number of applications received each year and the low percentage they accepted. These competitive colleges use a holistic evaluation of applicants, looking for students who will contribute to the vitality of their campuses. High grades or test scores are not enough to gain admission to our nation’s top schools.

It is critical for students to begin to build a strong college application early in high school. This will provide s0lid evidence of their potential on a college campus. Students who aspire to attend top tier colleges will benefit from exceeding all the recommended academic requirements and test score averages. This means advancing in college prep courses throughout high school and developing academic areas outside of class time. Admission to a highly selective college requires being a “stand out” in multiple areas. A hopeful applicant must provide clear evidence of passion, initiative, commitment, responsibility, leadership and academic promise.

Your best evidence that you will succeed in college, is your high school success. Spring semester of junior year is the final semester before submitting most college applications. This is the most important semester listed on a high school transcript, when it’s being reviewed on a college application. Colleges will look at your senior course work and base admission evaluation assuming that your senior year will be completed at the same academic performance level or better, than previous grades. So essentially – the junior year grades are superimposed on your senior courses by college admission offices. If there was ever a time to “kick it in high gear” academically, it is spring semester junior year!

But top tier colleges want more than strong academic students. Students can discover where they are “weak” on a college application by simply checking one out. Since nearly all applications are now submitted electronically, visit the college admission website and look for the option to print an application. Students may complete the paper application and note which section on the application is weaker, then focus on how to improve this section. For example, the University of California has five sections for students to share information. There’s a section for academics, awards and honors, activities in and outside of school, volunteer work and employment. If students discover that they are loaded with activities, but only have one or two volunteer items to list, it’s time to find volunteer options for the summer.

Summer is a perfect time for students to gain life experiences that will increase the depth of their college application. It’s a great window to experience areas that stretch comfort zones and develop an awareness of needs outside our community. It’s a time to begin a part time job or assume a leadership role in a summer activity. Spending time studying for SAT or ACT exams can also be beneficial. Students should be cognizant that in building a strong college application requires participation to be honest and meaningful. College admissions officials can spot a resume’-builder right off, so be sure that you are sincerely interested in any activity, job, or volunteer opportunity you begin.