College admissions is an intense and competitive process. Students can differentiate themselves by a variety of factors, including grades, extracurricular activities, and standardized test scores. Increasingly, colleges are looking for academic rigor in their applicants, and that may mean taking advanced placement (AP), honors, or IB courses. Students should also work on their writing skills to strengthen their college applications.
1. Get Good Grades In High School
College admissions teams know that a student’s grades are the most important indicator of his or her performance in college. That’s why students should strive for a high GPA throughout their school career. Students should make sure to participate in class, take notes and follow through with assignments. Also, they should ask teachers and guidance counselors for good letters of recommendation.
If a student’s GPA is below the college admission standard, she or he can attend a community college to raise their grades and then transfer to a four year college. This strategy works for many students. Also, some colleges have alternative admissions programs for students with low GPAs who can demonstrate their ability to succeed in college by other means, such as strong extracurricular activities, talent or leadership.
2. Take The SAT Or ACT
The SAT and ACT are two of the most popular college admissions tests in the United States. However, not all colleges require applicants to submit standardized test scores. These schools are known as “test-optional.” Colleges that are test-optional do not consider a student’s SAT or ACT score when making their admission decisions. Instead, these schools rely on other factors, such as excellent grades, strong recommendations, and an impressive personal statement.
The SAT and the ACT are similar, but there are some key differences between the two exams. For example, SAT questions are typically more difficult than ACT questions. Also, the SAT allows more time per question than the ACT. Therefore, it’s important to take both exams before Get into college. It will help you determine which test is better for you.
3. Get Involved In Extracurricular Activities
The college admissions landscape is changing and, while grades and test scores are important, colleges want to know about who you are as a person outside of your academic pursuits. This is where extracurricular activities come into play.
These can be academic-related or not, such as if you are planning on going into medicine and have been volunteering at a hospital or even if you have been working to learn French or to become a graphic design whiz. Even a part-time job, if you can show that you have been able to balance it with schoolwork, can be impressive to admissions committees because it shows commitment and maturity. Colleges are also looking for consistency, leadership, and accomplishment in your extracurricular activities. Almost any organized club, sport or activity counts as an extracurricular.
4. Work On Your Writing Skills
Writing is an essential skill that will help you through college and beyond. Developing excellent written communication skills will help you express your ideas in ways that are clear and compelling. Your professors will give you a lot of feedback on your writing, helping you understand where you can improve and where you truly nailed it. Take advantage of these critiques and work on your skills.
Keep a journal every day or write a short daily blog post to flex your writing muscles. It doesn’t have to be much, but any writing you do will make you a better writer. Also, familiarize yourself with the citation format your college uses – APA or MLA. This will save you a lot of time and stress later.
5. Get A Job
Students often worry that having a job will distract them from their studies, but the reality is that most students find it much easier to succeed in school when they have a full-time or part-time job. A job also provides valuable skills like time management, customer service, and money-management that will be useful in a future career. Work experience is also an important factor that future employers consider when hiring. Many colleges offer job opportunities for students, such as the student union, and many local businesses are willing to hire students.
Even if your first job is not what you hoped for, it can still be an excellent opportunity to develop negotiation skills and learn more about your own work style. Most importantly, it will help you get a foot in the door of your future career.
Conclusion
Getting into college isn’t easy, but it’s important to find the right school for you. Financial advisors, college admissions counselors and friends who have graduated can help. Many colleges also want to see students involved in school clubs, teams, charity organizations and more. In addition, AP classes and high scores on the SAT exams can boost your application.
