There are a lot of important factors and considerations to keep in mind when you are applying to the college or university of your dreams. Of course there are some incredible obvious ones such as your standardized testing scores and high school GPA, but what about some of the less obvious
While you will of course want to do fantastically in school and check your grade point average with a trusty high school GPA calculator, what other things do you want to keep in
Here is a list of the top five.
Make sure to discuss your out-of-school experiences and how they have changed you
It’s kind of unfair isn’t it? College admissions expect you to excel in the classroom and while taking standardized tests while also expecting you to have the time and energy to learn and grow outside the classroom.
It might seem somewhat unfair or even impossible but remember that you are competing with some of the brightest minds in your grade. You have to stand out. Make sure to use your free time meaningfully by learning a new skill, volunteering at a worthy non-profit, or exploring a new part of the world.
Show off your special talents and abilities
A student who goes the extra mile to work on special talent in athletics, research, art or any other area of interest will certainly gain an edge over those who don’t. If you have such a skill, you should consider sending evidence of your work such as a portfolio, a link to your music, or a reel of your athletic highlights throughout your high school career.
Gather letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or group leaders that can vouch for your positive characteristics and qualities
An added letter or recommendation from a coach, teacher, supervisor or boss who knows you well can really help shed some added light on your talents and skills. That being said, similar letters from families or friends will not be considered strongly in the eyes of college admissions. The more objective the source of the recommendation is, the better.
Show that you are eager to attend a university by scheduling a campus visit, interview and engaging in ongoing contact with your admissions office
Early in your mapping out process of finding the colleges that work best for you, make sure to contact the schools at the very top of your list to try to get a dialogue going. Schedule an in-person visit to the campus and try to set up an interview with an admissions officer or someone in the field you are interested in pursuing if possible. After that, try to stay in touch with the people you meet with an continue to express your interest in joining their student body. This will likely not be the deciding factor in whether or not you ultimately get accepted, but it can certainly help improve your chances of getting in.
Good luck!
