WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS.

“I watch a lot of astronaut movies. Mostly Star Wars. And even Han and Chewie use a checklist.”

- Jon Stewart

In the frenzied quest to investigate schools and be admitted to their top choices for college, sometimes families and students overlook what the admissions departments are actually looking for in applicants. Somewhat similar to an athlete’s highlight reel, it is important to give the college what THEY want, not what we think is cool or what we think they SHOULD want from us.

There are a lot of great articles out there detailing what colleges are actually looking for, but it all boils down to a few areas where colleges tend to focus the most.

It may seem top secret, but colleges are generally willing to reveal their most important admission factors. Know where to look. College admissions committees read through thousands of applications and it is easy to get lost in the shuffle if you don’t showcase what it is that colleges are looking for. Admissions committees assess applicants and decide whether they are a good fit on their campus.

In no real order:

STRENGTH OF CURRICULUM

Colleges look for students who took the most challenging courses available to them and who performed well in each class. Some high schools do not offer many college prep classes. If that is the case for your particular high school, admissions officers will take this into account. They may also look favorably upon students who seek challenges outside of school. Example: taking community college courses or AP courses online.

GRADES IN COLLEGE PREP COURSES

Colleges typically consider grades in tough courses most important in admissions. Most colleges will consider your grade in college prep courses the strongest sign of your ability to do well in college. If you perform well in your AP courses, it suggests that you have the ability to take on the college workload. Even if you struggled early in your high school career, colleges will look favorably upon strong improvement in subsequent years. An upward trajectory tells a story that you started to figure it out and buckled-down on academics. These classes show you are ready to take on a college curriculum and they also add strength to your transcript by increasing the GPA. Plus, it’s a way to earn college credit for nearly free.

NOTE: Understand the flip side of this too. Most schools will make you take tests to be admitted to prep-level courses but if you schedule several of them, become bogged-down, and your GPA and transcript take major hits, these classes are not doing you much good.

GRADES IN ALL COURSES

The overall GPA serves as an indicator of a students’ academic success in high school. A transcript is a list of every class taken throughout high school and the grade received in each class.

Getting into college is mostly a numbers game. In the eyes of the admissions committee, the high school grades can be a predictor of future academic performance. It’s likely that the transcript will be carefully reviewed.

Consistently high grades are important because they demonstrate a persistence to excelling academically. Selection committees won’t expect perfection. A student may not have straight As, but if they took challenging classes and did well, that could be just as impressive to admissions. Getting a B+ in calculus could say more than an A in algebra 1.

ADMISSION TEST SCORES

They are controversial, and with good reason. From an admissions standpoint, the tests are straightforward tools for admissions committees to judge whether or not a student meets their academic standards. Colleges can use SAT and ACT scores to review hundreds of applications and quickly pinpoint which will make it through to the next round. Even though some colleges are moving toward test-optional policies, students who submit a strong test score could have an advantage over those who do not. If nothing else, it is certainly a powerful arrow to have in your quiver, if you need to use it.

NOTE: Your score on the SAT or ACT can be crucial to your application’s success, so the energy you invest in doing well can pay off big time.

THE ESSAY

Of the roughly 5,300 colleges and universities in the United States, about 1,000 use the Common Application. The Common App essay can be applied to all of the participating schools that a student applies to. But almost all colleges, regardless, will ask you to submit an essay or personal statement. Some will require you to answer additional questions with shorter essays also. This is your opportunity to put your personality into your application. A well-written essay can tip a decision in your favor and a poorly written one can certainly do the opposite. With a short word count, admissions officers can learn more about what makes you interesting and unique: your goals, beliefs, habits, athletic or artistic skills, and personal experiences.

Tell a well-written and engaging story revealing strengths that aren’t already apparent in your application. Colleges are looking for students with outstanding qualities and accomplishments, who will help create a rich, diverse campus community. Get help, and allow time for important (and much needed) revisions.  

NOTE: The essay is not something that can be written in a few hours. Planning and editing and rewriting take days and weeks. Most students write several drafts, similar to an author who writes the same chapter over and over until they get it right. Take this with seriousness and plan ahead accordingly. The essay piece of the application is only becoming more and more important, especially if a school is maybe Test Optional.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Many colleges require recommendation letters from your teachers and high school counselor. Other colleges may require additional letters from individuals who know you well and can provide insight into your academic abilities, character, and personality. Strong rec letters round out your college application because they give an in-depth, third-person perspective into your academic capabilities, social skills, and character. You can tell admissions committees yourself that you are full of academic promise, but claims will be more reliable if they appear in letters written by individuals who’ve seen you in action. Most colleges require one to three rec letters written by high school teachers and counselors. Be sure that the people you ask for a reference will confirm what you wish them to confirm.

NOTE: Teachers and counselors (and maybe even coaches) will be asked to provide rec letters for many students. Counselors in particular spend A LOT of their time during the application season dedicated almost exclusively to these letters. Students  may need to be a little pushy with teachers to get this completed. Make sure you do it in a nice, professional way and avoid being a jerk no matter how much they are dragging their feet. It is no secret that the early bird might get the worm here, too.

CLASS RANK

Colleges that use this factor want to see how much competition high school students had to face to achieve rank. Along with grades, some colleges look at your class rank because they want to know how you fared compared to your classmates.

NOTE: This is waning in importance, but some schools still consider it.

EXTRACURRICULARS

Colleges pay attention to your involvement in extracurricular activities. But what counts most to colleges is how long and how deeply you have been committed to one or two of those interests. This could be sports, clubs, music groups, or various other activities. They take into account the leadership roles you have held, what you accomplished, and how much time you committed to the activity. Talk about the substantial impact you’ve made in the team or group, or how you grew from the experience. These will show colleges the determination and commitment you have for pursuits that matter to you.

VOLUNTEER AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Part-time or summer jobs, internships, and volunteer work allow selection committees to see how you operate beyond the walls of the classroom. Colleges look for capable and organized leaders, and these activities are a great way to prove your abilities. Volunteering at hospitals, rescue shelters, and local food banks are great options to consider but if you really want to earn some points, think about starting your own volunteer project, such as offering free tutoring services or organizing a community clean-up… and then sticking to it!

For students with work experience, list the companies or businesses and detail responsibilities and achievements in the application. Be sure to mention the roles that helped you develop the necessary leadership skills colleges look for.

NOTE: This is not Quantity over Quality. It looks better to be very dedicated to a few causes over an extended period than it does to rush out and join many clubs and organizations in a futile attempt to appear more dynamic.

DEMONSTRATED INTEREST

Actions need to match words. Going on college visits, talking with admission officers, or doing an enthusiastic interview can call attention to how much you really want to attend that college. Applying for an early decision may also make a good impression. In your application, express your interest in a specific degree program, the college’s core values, or the extracurricular activities the school offers. Colleges look for students who want to be there, so make it clear why you’re drawn to the particular school where you’re applying.

You can also prove your interest by scheduling a campus visit early on, actively reaching out to the admissions officers, and applying for early action or early decision enrollment.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Some colleges may look for signs of certain personal traits: such as curiosity, social consciousness, or persistence, that they feel help students succeed in college. An applicant may be able to get an idea of which traits colleges value by reviewing their admissions websites and mission statements, or by asking an admissions counselor or current student at that school what types of students succeed there.

Your profile will be more impressive to colleges if you show that you’re truly committed to your passion projects. Admissions committees are curious to see how your personal interests fuel your drive and work ethic. If you are deeply invested in hobbies, don’t be afraid to show it in your application.

NOTE: Be smart about this, too. Admissions officers do not want to see anything negative, offensive, or harmful. Put yourself in their shoes, as people building a positive, safe environment. Know the landscape of where you are applying and what they value.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Not all colleges consider the same factors when deciding whether or not to admit prospective students.   

Standing out isn’t easy, but an applicant can start immediately by simply improving their grades and test scores, writing a meaningful and engaging essay, acquiring great recommendation letters, and cultivating a resume of extracurricular activities and volunteer experience.