Applying to Colleges and Important Deadlines
What do admissions officers consider important?
Universities select students according to high standards in
the following areas, typically in this order:
- Academic record (GPA as listed in official transcript, rigor
of courses, class rank)
- Standardized test scores (consult your prospective college
for requirements: SAT vs. ACT and average incoming freshman scores)
- Activities (they’ll want to see a little variety, to include
academic clubs and volunteer work; commitment to activities, as evidenced by
length of involvement, leadership, and initiative)
- Application / Essays
- Recommendations (giving a “brag sheet” to three adults, such
as your counselor, a trusted teacher, and an employer, can help them write
suitable letters about your attributes, accomplishments, and goals)
- Interviews (anytime you talk with anyone affiliated with a
college, you make an impression, whether you are visiting with alumni or
current students or in an official interview)
** If you fall below your peers in some of these
categories, DO NOT DESPAIR! You can find
a college that will accept you and fit your needs. Nevertheless, if you plan on
attending a highly selective college, you need to consider all of those
categories throughout your high school years to maximize your admissions
potential.**
Other application hints:
- Proofread your application and get someone else smart to
help. It’s important that an admissions officer isn’t the second person to see
your application, since it’s annoyingly easy to miss a typo yourself!
- Check the directions carefully. Some applications want
chronological order from most to least recent and others the opposite! There
are other tricky points, so if you have to do a paper application, make a
photocopy before you write on the one you send in.
- A resume or brag sheet does not take the place of an
application. If the application says you can send attachments, then you can
include extra materials, but try to keep as much of your best materials on the
application itself. Admissions officers have loads of paperwork to look
through, so a little “amazing” may be better than loads of “pretty good.”
- Make a checklist of everything you need to send
(application, transcript, letters, fee…..).
- Realize that visual and performing arts schools often have
portfolio or audition requirements. Prepare early!!
- Make sure you have your school send your official transcript
and standardized test scores.
- Do applications online, if the college offers that choice.
Many universities use the common application, found at www.commonapp.org. Applying online can be quicker and easier to
send. Nevertheless, use proper grammar and spelling, not email standard.
- Keep a copy of all applications. It’ll make it much easier
to fill out others or to verify what you said in yours.
- Be aware of deadlines!! Even schools that have “rolling
admissions” policies will say the sooner you submit your application, the
better your chances of admission and financial aid!
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