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College Admissions 101: Aim High, Start Early!If you’re particular about which college you attend, the college admissions maze can be somewhat daunting.
Which College?But the truth of the matter is, if you aren’t particular about schools, the chances of you getting in are really better than you might imagine. For information on college acceptance rates, please click here. Most colleges list high school grades, school ranking, admissions testing scores, and community and school involvement as important factors when considering a potential candidate. But each college gives different weight and priority to these factors. For information on preparing for college, please click here. Some colleges may feel high school ranking and grades are the primary determinant. Others may place higher priority on entrance test scores. And of course almost all colleges will give consideration to your extracurricular activities if you’re on the bubble.Throughout the "College" pages of my website, you'll see images of programs from "Application Bootcamp" which is a program developed by MiMi Doe and Michelle Hernandez. You may have read or heard about either of them, as they are both well published authors, and Michelle Hernandez is one of the top college admissions consultants in the country. Please feel free to click on those images for more information. So first lets talk about admissions testing: The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the ACT (American College Testing). Both exams have web sites loaded with information about costs, testing dates, and testing locations. For more on SAT and ACT prep, please click here. They also have information and tips about the actual test and sample tests for you to practice. Waiting Until The Last Minute is Always a MistakeNow, I’ve seen a bunch of kids who wait for the last minute to take their SAT or ACT. Again, this is fine if you’re not particular about where you go. But this just isn't the best way to get into college. Preparation is key. And remember, you have to start thinking about how to pay for college too! To learn about paying for college, please click here. In reality, if you’re looking for a more prestigious school, you must start your preparation and search much earlier (like grade school)!And remember, colleges also look at what kind of classes you took in high school, so start your high school freshman year with college in mind, and don’t slack off during your senior year just because you have all of the necessary credits to graduate. Keep pushing yourself! And don't miss your chance to "individualize" your application with your college admission essay. This may be your one chance to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other applicants. For tips on college essays, please click here. The sooner you start preparing, the better chance you have of getting into the college of your choice. Don’t leave it to chance. Click here for College Application Tips.College Admission Consultants-A Growing IndustryAnd if you have the money, you may want to look into some college admission consultants who can help improve your chances of acceptance into your dream university. For information on College Admissions Consultants, please click here.The Karma of College AcceptanceWhen you review the admission statistics of the college of your choice, remember that the numbers are just that...numbers. Don’t be dissuaded from applying just because you don’t perfectly fit their acceptance standards, but always have a plan "B".And also remember that if you're accepted, there are some common courtesy things you should do, and things to plan for. For things to do after you're accepted, please click here. A final thought. Many colleges have alternate acceptance programs for people who don’t quite fit their mold, but exhibit potential for success in higher education. Sometimes a little arm twisting may be in order. Convince them that you’re worth the risk!Return from College Admissions to Tutor Trend Home Page |
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