WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS
TRANSCRIPT: Your cumulative average and the degree to which you have challenged yourself in high school are typically the two most important factors colleges consider when evaluating candidates for admission.
“Did the student take advantage of challenging courses offered at his or her high school?” is one of the first questions an admissions committee considers when evaluating a candidate. Colleges are interested in both the courses you have taken and the grades you have received. They will take into account the difficulty of your academic program as well as how successful you have been in your courses.
They also look at trends in your grades; a transcript that reflects steady growth is definitely a plus! If something during your high school career has caused you to be less successful than you might have been otherwise, (you may want to speak to your Guidance Counselor, who can mention “extenuating circumstances” in his or her SSR letter of recommendation.)
STANDARDIZED TESTS: Your scores on standardized exams such as the SAT and the ACT are important not just for admissions but also for being awarded merit scholarships at some colleges. Plan your test taking schedule carefully. It is your responsibly to send your scores to colleges. Remember, many schools have remained test optional.
ESSAY: Your essay(s) is a very important part of your college application. The essay affords you an opportunity to express your individuality; it will help to differentiate you from the other candidates with similar averages and test scores. You may write about your special interests, talents, and influential experiences and people.
If your only extracurricular activity is a job, you might write about how your job has been meaningful to you and/or your family. The general rule is “The essay should be something only you could write” –it should be as specific as possible, avoid generalities, and be in your voice. It goes without saying that you should only submit original work! Work on your essays carefully. Allow yourself enough time to write the essay and revise it. Never submit your first draft; put it aside and read it again on another day. Ask friends, parents, or a teacher to read what you’ve written. On the other hand, don’t worry about “polishing” your essay too much – it may lose spontaneity and authenticity.
Your supplemental essays should address the question(s) posed in each college application; don’t attempt to write one or two extremely general essays and then use them for all of your college applications. Pay attention to the length of your essay; college admissions officers read hundreds, in some cases thousands, of essays an do not want to receive a fivepage essay if a one-page essay is requested.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Most colleges require two teacher recommendations. This should be from a teacher who has graded you in a traditionally graded course, ideally from sophomore or junior year. Colleges will often accept a supplementary recommendation from a mentor, a person for whom you have done volunteer work, a community organization that you have worked with, a professor with whom you have done research, or other such individuals. These may be submitted in addition to teacher recommendations.
SENIOR GRADES: Your senior year grades are looked at very closely by colleges, as is your senior year academic program! A challenging program (including A.P. courses) is necessary for the most selective colleges. If you are an ED/EA applicant, the college(s) you apply to may request your 1st and/or 2nd marking period grades in their evaluation of your candidacy. If you are a Regular Decision applicant, colleges may request your second term senior year 1st and/or 2nd marking period grades to aid in their evaluation of your candidacy. In addition, colleges often review the courses you are taking 2nd term senior year to make sure that you are continuing to meet their standards of academic rigor.
**Please note: colleges reserve the right to rescind admission after receiving senior year final grades.**
