Each year, colleges and universities across the United States receive thousands of applications from eager young applicants, just like you. To stand out from the crowd, you need to submit an application that is strong enough to catch and sustain the attention of admissions officers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A strong application gives admissions officers a full glimpse into who you are, not only as a student but also as a person. When admissions officers admit you into their university, you aren\u2019t just joining a class, you\u2019re joining an entire community. They want to make sure you\u2019ll be a good fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For advice on how to make your application as strong as possible so that you can stand out and leave a good impression, check these following tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re reading this article with a college application pulled up on the tab next to it, it\u2019s likely too late to change your high school curriculum. But for those of you who still have some time before you start filling out applications, make sure you take classes that will challenge you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy taking the most academically demanding courses you can find, you can improve both your chance of admission to a selective college and your performance during the first years of college,\u201d Harvard explains in a guide<\/a> for high school students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Clearly, not everyone has realistic aspirations to go to Harvard. But, the point is, admissions officers at all types of colleges and universities like to see difficult classes on applicants\u2019 transcripts. It demonstrates ambition and capacity for college courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, if you already have a clear idea of what you want to study in college, it would benefit you to take classes related to that major. If you want to major in political science, for example, take all the AP political science and history classes you can. If you score high enough on your AP exams, you might just be able to earn some college course credit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Demanding courses are very important. But, if you can\u2019t keep your grades up in those courses, you should reconsider taking them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to see a student persisting with AP courses if they\u2019re getting Cs and C-s,\u201d Judith Burke-Berhannan, dean of admissions at Stony Brook University, told The University Network (TUN) for a previous article<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf they\u2019re consistently performing at an average or below average level, then potentially the choice of APs or the number of AP courses they\u2019re taking needs to be considered and adjusted,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a high school senior, any grade dips you may have had are already cemented in your transcript. Although there\u2019s no changing the past, most college applications, including the Common App, have additional information sections that give you plenty of space to add any context you want to your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use this space to explain the cause of your academic slippage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe a relative passed away during your junior year of high school and the grieving process took a toll on you. Maybe you were sick and had to miss an extended amount of school. Or, maybe your family was going through a tough time financially, and you had to pick up an after-school job that limited the amount of time you could spend on homework or studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if there\u2019s no justified cause for your poor grades one term, admit that you made a mistake. If your grades have since risen since they dipped, you\u2019ve clearly learned something and grown. So, take time to explain what you\u2019ve learned and how you\u2019ve grown on your application. Admissions officers may consider this to be a sign of determination and ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Transparency with admissions officers is key. More often than not, admissions officers are looking for reasons to admit applicants as opposed to looking for reasons not to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to impacting your chances of admittance, the SAT and ACT don\u2019t carry nearly as much weight as they used to. All across the country, institutions have phased out admissions tests requirements. There are currently more than 1,000 colleges and universities, including all of the institutions in the University of California system, with test-optional policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, you don\u2019t need to stress. But, it would still benefit you to take an admissions test and dedicate as much time as you can towards preparing for it. That way, you can keep your options open. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m advising (my students) to try to take it one or two times before applications are due,\u201d Joe Korfmacher, a college counselor at Collegewise told TUN. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have not taken the SAT<\/a> or ACT<\/a> yet, the first step to maximizing your score potential is figuring out which test to take<\/a>. Although the tests serve the same purpose, there are notable differences that may make you more suited to take one instead of the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the math section in the ACT covers a wider range of topics and focuses more on trigonometry and geometry than the SAT math section does. The SAT math section focuses more on algebra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And although both tests ask science-related questions, the ACT has an entire section dedicated to science, full of scientific language and terms. So if you struggle with science, it may be best to steer away from the ACT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about SAT prep, check here<\/a>. For ACT prep, check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Colleges and universities tend to differ slightly in terms of the qualifications they are looking for in applicants. So, it’s pivotal to research the application tips or information offered by each institution you\u2019re interested in applying to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many schools, such as Stanford University<\/a>, the University of Texas at Austin<\/a>, Yale University<\/a>, and others have blog posts written by students, alumni, or admissions officers available online. The posts often go into detail about how you can maximize your chances of being admitted. And the best part is, all this information is a quick Google search away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, if you\u2019re applying to a selective institution that administers interviews<\/a> as a part of the application process, you\u2019re going to want to do extensive research on the school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conduct a thorough investigation, like you\u2019re being tested on it. Going into the interview, you should know the majors the school offers, the most storied alumni, the campus locations, and even the mascot! You get the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You want to be able to provide detailed and honest answers to every question you\u2019re asked and be able to prove to your interviewer that you\u2019re passionate about the institution. Make the interviewer believe that this school is the only one you\u2019re interested in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admissions officers aren\u2019t your mother or your best friend. They only know you based on what you put in your application. So, use all of the space available to you, both in your essay and elsewhere in the application, to explain who you are, not only as a student but also as a person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The essay<\/a> section provides you with an opportunity to describe your passions and interests, explain how you\u2019ve overcome the challenges in your life, and relay to admissions officers what it is that drives you — what makes you tick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPick topics that will give us an idea of who you are,\u201d Yale explains in a message to applicants<\/a>. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter which topics you choose, as long as they are meaningful to you. We have read wonderful essays on common topics and weak essays on highly unusual ones. Your perspective \u2013 the lens through which you view your topic \u2013 is far more important than the specific topic itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For examples of essays that work, check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your grades and class choices are undoubtedly important. But, particularly if you\u2019re applying to a selective institution, much of your competition will submit transcripts that are equally as impressive. So, along with your essay, what you do outside of the classroom is what will make you stand out from the crowded pool of applicants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most applications, including the Common App, grant applicants the opportunity to list all types of activities<\/a>, including arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On your application, list every activity that has helped shape you, no matter how insignificant you might think it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That after-school job at the local pizza shop, for example, has given you real professional experience and taught you how to interact with co-workers and customers in a work environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u2019re an upperclassman, know that, until you send your applications in, it\u2019s not too late to add to your activities lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you shouldn\u2019t do something you don\u2019t enjoy, just because you think it will look good on your application. For the most part, colleges and universities want diverse student bodies, with ranging passions and interests. And your unique passion for dog walking or crocheting, for example, might just help you stand out more than that spot in the math club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Yale<\/a>, your activities outside of the classroom should \u201cdemonstrate a deep commitment to and genuine appreciation for what you spend your time doing. The joy you take in the pursuits that really matter to you \u2013 rather than a resume padded with a long list of activities \u2013 will strengthen your candidacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n College application season is an extremely busy time. It\u2019s essentially like adding another class to your schedule. So, you\u2019ll need all the help you can get. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lean on your parents, older siblings, and your school counselors during this busy time. Ask if they can help you keep track of your application log in information and important dates, such as application deadlines, standardized testing dates, and financial aid and scholarships deadlines. You\u2019ll also need people to proofread your essays and other portions of your applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s often more than one way to apply to college.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”Hicsb7vL” upload-date=”2023-10-04T16:38:03.000Z” name=”Pros & Cons of Applying to College Early Action and Early Decision” description=”TUN sits down with Eric Eng, founder and CEO of AdmissionSight, a consultancy geared towards helping students be admitted to highly selective institutions, to discuss the pros and cons of applying to college Early Action and Early Decision. ” player-type=”static”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to Regular Decision, which is the most common and typically requires applicants to submit their applications by January or February of their senior year, many colleges and universities \u2014 especially competitive ones \u2014 allow applicants to submit an Early Decision application by early November of their senior year.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefit of applying Early Decision is that you generally will have a higher chance of being admitted. But, Early Decision application plans are binding, meaning, if you\u2019re accepted to a college or university by way of Early Decision, you MUST attend that school and withdraw any applications sent to other colleges or universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Really, you should only consider applying Early Decision if you are confident in your transcript, have conducted a lot of research, thoroughly explored your college options, are positive the school you\u2019re applying to is your first choice, and are certain you will be able to afford the tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other option you may have is Early Action. Like Early Decision, if you opt to apply Early Action you can expect to hear back from college admissions offices earlier than if you were to apply Regular Decision. However, unlike Early Decision, Early Action plans are not binding, so you can choose to keep your options open and continue to explore colleges and evaluate financial aid packages before making a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it varies by school, if you choose to apply Early Action, you typically have to send in your application by early November of your senior year of high school, and you can expect to hear back by early December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main benefit of Early Action is that you will hear back from colleges earlier. And if you\u2019re rejected, you still have time to apply to other schools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should only consider Early Action if you are 100 percent confident in your transcript and have a desire to attend the college you are applying to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some students will make the mistake of applying Early Action just for the sake of putting an end to the college application process. But it is important to remember that rejection letters are irreversible, so you shouldn’t rush into the application process if you aren\u2019t ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\nKeep your grades up <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ace your admissions test<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do your research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tell your story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Boost your activities list<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Assemble a group of people who can help you<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Know when to apply<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Early Decision<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Early Action<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Obtain strong letters of recommendation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n