Do you have your heart set on a particular college and want to make sure your application stands out? Your application will consist of a variety of components that colleges look at closely. Let’s explore some great ways to improve your chances of admission.
9 Ways to Improve Your Chances of Admission
1. Maintain a Strong GPA
Your grades are super important when it comes to college applications. You should work hard throughout all of your school years to maintain and/or improve your grades. This demonstrates a commitment to the subjects you study, not just standardized tests.
2. Get a High ACT/SAT Score
Flickr user Till Krech
Though many schools no longer require you to submit an ACT or SAT score, it may still be in your best interest to take these exams. If anything, submitting your ACT or SAT score might just set you apart from other applicants as it shows colleges you are willing to go the extra mile. Plus, if you don’t like your score, you don’t have to send it, so there’s no harm in trying.
3. Take Challenging Courses
Colleges want to see that you have been able to complete academically challenging courses. This will be impressive on a college application, as it shows that you are willing to challenge yourself academically and that you are prepared for the demands of college work. We recommend taking as many challenging courses as you can.
4. Participate in Extracurricular Activities
When it comes to extracurricular activities, it’s not about the quantity. Choose activities that you enjoy and excel at. Yes, colleges want to see that you are dedicated to your schoolwork, but they also want to see what makes you unique apart from your academic record. Whether it’s sports, clubs, a part-time job, or volunteer work, extracurriculars can help you stand out from a crowd with excellent grade averages.
5. Research and Visit Your Top Schools
When you know more about a college, you can tailor your application to fit each school better. The best way to figure out if a school is right for you is by doing your research. Check out their website, read reviews, or go for an in-person visit! Learning more about a college will also give you a clearer idea of whether you’d fit in and enjoy life there. This will allow you to weed out some of the less compatible options. That way, you can focus on applying to the places you’re truly excited about.
6. Write a Killer Application Essay
Your application essay shows the admissions committee who you are as a person and what drives you. This is a chance to communicate your personality and reassure the college that you’re a good match to their ethos. Take time to write your statement and review it multiple times. Even get people who don’t know you super well to vet it. Also, make sure to adapt it to each college you apply to.
7. Build Relationships for Good Recommendations
Your letters of recommendation carry a lot of weight with application boards. Think long and hard about who you want your recommendations to be from. If you’re involved in extracurricular activities, you can ask those leaders for recommendations. You should seek to ask people who can describe your skills, accomplishments, and attitude in a positive way. Make sure you meet with whoever you ask prior to them writing a letter and give them ample time to complete it before submitting an application.
8. Apply to a Diverse Range of Schools
To make sure you have a chance of getting accepted, it is a good idea to apply to a range of schools, including match, safety, and reach schools. This way, if one school doesn’t work out, you still have other viable options.
9. Prepare for Interviews
If the colleges you choose to apply to require an interview as part of the application process, it’s a good idea to do a little interview prep. Brush up on good interview body language and etiquette. Additionally, ask a mentor or teacher to conduct a mock interview with you as practice. Be prepared to answer common questions, such as:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why did you choose your major?
- Why did you choose this school?
To build a strong college application, start by focusing on your grades and getting involved. Plus, by writing an outstanding application essay, receiving glowing letters of recommendation, and learning about the colleges you’re interested in, those letters of acceptance could soon be landing in your mailbox!
Did you know you can find out your see your acceptance odds (or chances of admission) using College Raptor’s College Match Tool? That’s right. Simply sign up for an account, enter your GPA and test scores, and select the schools your are interested in. Try it now for free!
