Many teachers and parents encourage teens to attend college after high school. It never occurs to some students that they might not get into their dream school without preparation.
Colleges vary in size and location and offer different programs. Private colleges charge higher tuition fees than public colleges, and going to college in your home state costs less than going out of state. No matter which colleges you plan to apply to, you’ll benefit from understanding the college application process to ensure you’re accepted. Let’s review everything you should know about college applications.
College admissions boards consider your grades and standardized test results.
Once you submit your college application, it’s reviewed by a college admissions board. The review committee considers all aspects of the application, including your grades. Choosing appropriate high school courses can impress the review panel, particularly if you have a strong grade point average (GPA) and did well on standardized test scores. They use this data to determine how well you’re likely to perform in your college program or whether you’ll struggle with your college courses.
College review boards also consider your extracurricular and volunteer activities.
Colleges favor well-rounded students with varied interests. Working with an application counselor is a great way to ensure you have an impressive application. Your certified application counselor can help you determine which extracurricular activities will impress the admissions panel. Suppose you’re interested in a career in human resources. You can demonstrate good interpersonal skills by participating in team sports and group activities. Aspiring lawyers may benefit from joining their school’s debate club.
Your application counselor can also work with you to identify ways to acquire practical experience. They can match you to internship opportunities to help you develop essential skills needed for success in your chosen field of study. Pursuing internships demonstrates your commitment to your chosen program and career field.
Your application will likely require a persoinal statement.
Whether you’re applying to public schools or Ivy League colleges, you’ll probably need to include a personal statement with your application package. Many schools refer to this as an application essay, while some ask for personal statements and supplemental essays.
Application review boards use the statement to get a sense of your personality. It can convince them you’re passionate about their school and their program and be the determining factor when the board decides whether to accept your application.
Many applicants struggle with the essay because they don’t know what to write. You must ensure your essay distinguishes you from other applicants. Many essays cover the same general information in the same way, but an original essay with a personal approach can capture the panel’s interest and elevate your college application. Although the board will consider your GPA and test scores, a compelling essay can boost applicants with weaker grades over applicants with more substantial scores if they have a weak essay.
Many colleges require applicants to complete an interview.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the typical college application process, and some schools have opted for video interviews instead of in-person interviews. Your interview’s an opportunity to demonstrate your communication and people skills and impress the panel. Working with a college application counselor can help you prepare for your interview, ensuring you know the types of questions to expect and what information you should provide the application review board.
You might not have to pay the college application fee.
College applicants typically pay an application fee when submitting their applications. You may spend hundreds of dollars on standardized tests and application fees. It is possible to receive waivers exempting you from test fees and application fees. Research the waiver conditions beforehand to determine if you qualify or prioritize colleges without application fees.
Applying to college can be intimidating and time-consuming. Working with a college admissions counselor can help you prepare a successful application to your dream school.
