Every year, more than ten million college applications are submitted in the USA, with the average student submitting anywhere between six and ten applications, according to Pew Research. While most colleges in the USA admit the majority of students who apply, prestigious institutions such a Yale, Harvard and Stanford all admit fewer than 10% of applicants. Getting into the college of your dreams is a big deal. It is, however, difficult to compile a perfect application if you have no idea what the admissions committee is really looking for. Luckily, some of the secrets of admissions officers are no longer secret, and students have a much better indication of exactly what to include on their applications to make sure they have the best chance of getting into their first-choice college.
Your application needs to be memorable
When you consider the number of college applications the admissions committee read, you will understand why it is so important to ensure that your application truly stands out – for all the right reasons. One way to ensure this is to write a killer essay. Most college application advisors will tell you that your essay provides you with the ideal opportunity to add a personal touch to your file. Unfortunately, many top students find it very difficult to write a unique and memorable essay. They tend to either overthink the entire process or dwell on the topics, including medical conditions, their inherent privilege, or their love for obscure poetry. Thankfully you can make use of a college application essay service that will provide you with a plethora of handy tips to help you write a winning essay.
Your personality counts for a lot
It might not be common knowledge, but admission officers have a habit of analysing an applicant’s personality when they read through their applications. An essay can tell a lot about the person who wrote it, including whether they are humble, arrogant, selfish, kind-hearted, or charming. Your college application should, ideally, highlight all your best personality traits without you having to lie about your weaker qualities. Aim to show that you are a good leader, classmate, student and community builder, while also drawing some attention to your less-obvious qualities, whether they are a good sense of humor, a natural curiosity, or the ability to empathize with people from all walks of life.
Pick your extracurricular activities with care
It is no secret that admission officers look for applicants who have maintained both a strong academic and extracurricular track record. While being considered well-rounded will definitely count in your favor, you don’t want to come across as being someone who is ‘all over the place’ and who lacks direction. There is a big difference between showcasing diversity and highlighting indecision. Instead of partaking in all the sports your school offers and joining as many clubs as possible, focus your attention on between four and seven, and commit to them completely. If you aren’t able to commit to a range of extracurricular activities due to work or family responsibilities, include that in your application as well. Admission officers are aware that applicants come from very different backgrounds. At the end of the day, they want to see whether you can commit to something and gain something from that experience, regardless of whether you are the captain of the football team or work at a local restaurant after school and on weekends.
Getting into the college of your dreams becomes a lot easier when you have a better idea of what the admissions committee is looking for. By paying extra attention to the above guidelines, you will undoubtedly be able to compile an attention-grabbing and memorable application.
