Public high school students can
get into the college of their dreams. All it takes is gumption,
advanced planning, and guidance. Students frequently want to know what
colleges are looking for. The reality is, there is no one perfect
combination. Colleges want a range of students to create a diverse
campus community, so students need to present themselves as a whole,
showing off their own unique mix of qualities in the best way possible.
As there isn’t one perfect combination, but rather may different ones,
students should focus on the following:
1. Choose the right high school classes. Take
classes that are a challenge, including AP and IB, when possible. If a
student takes classes that are all easy, this will not be very
impressive. Students need to challenge themselves but not to the extent
they are hurting themselves grade-wise. Students must also meet all
high school course requirements for their chosen college and to meet
statewide graduation requirements in order to earn a diploma.
2. Get to know the college counselor. High
school counselors can help students with their big picture planning for
the future, including academic advising, college planning and personal
counseling. College counselors are also needed for the all important
college application letters of recommendation. Make an appointment to
see a school counselor at least once each year, including freshman year.
The goal is to try to build a relationship with the high school
counselor during the four years of high school. During the meeting talk
about interests and goals. The more the school counselor knows about a
student, the more he or she can help. Many public school students do not
know their advisor, being proactive will make a student stand out.
3. Keep the grades up. Make
a commitment to work hard for the good grades. Students who find
themselves falling behind should get help -- before they fall too far
behind. Grades count and schools look for students who have challenged
themselves and expressed a passion for learning. There is a classic
question, is it better to get an A in a regular class or a B in an AP
class? The real answer is it is best to get an A in an AP class. For the
majority of students, good grades are entirely necessary to get into a
good school. Schools are looking for a positive pattern. In the
best-case scenario, a student maintains good grades throughout his or
her high school career. Though, if the grades started off badly and then
improved, colleges give points for this. If grades are too low or show a
steady decline, then a student is in real trouble. Spending a night
studying while friends go out may not be exciting, but the path to
college needs to be looked at with a long-term perspective.
4. Take standardized tests early. At
most highly selective colleges, SAT or ACT tests are very important.
The schools are looking to see if test score are consistent with – or
exceed – a student’s high school performance. No student knows how high
his or her score can go until the test results come in. But, if a
student waits too long and does not get a desired score, there won’t be
enough time to retake it. Many unexpected circumstances can affect test
scores on any given day, including the state of a student’s health.
(It’s impossible to plan not to get food poisoning.) Taking the test
early will also allow time to take a test prep course if necessary. Most
students take the SAT and-or ACT at least twice and improve their score
the second time they take it. Students must also make sure to schedule
test days for the SAT Subject Tests. Most students take Subject Tests
toward the end of junior year or at the beginning of senior year. The
best time to take the tests is as soon as possible after completing the
course in the subject.
5. Do your homework and try hard. No
matter what the class, even one with a loathsome teacher and boring
subject matter, students need to do their homework, try hard, and
behave. Keep the eyes on the prize: college. Plus, teachers are where
college recommendation letters come from so you want to impress them.
6. Engage in the right mix of extracurricular activities. Admissions
officers are looking for commitment and impact in a student’s
activities. It is better to be highly involved in one to three
activities and-or sports over a number of years, than less involved in
many activities. Anyone can join 10 clubs and be marginally involved in
them all. Schools are looking for a student to demonstrate the
willingness to stick with something and make the most of it. Schools are
not so interested in hearing about passions; they want to see them
proven! Once a student finds the activities he or she wants to focus on,
the next step is to work on becoming a leader or to demonstrate
initiative.
7. Take the college application seriously. Students
need to make sure they put time and effort into every part of the
college application, from the essay to the resume. The college essay
gives admissions officers the opportunity to know who a student is and
how that student might contribute to the college campus. It also gives
the admissions team a chance to learn something about a student that
they won’t find elsewhere in the application. Admissions teams tend to
prefer thoughtful, authentic essays that show real interests and
passions combined with complicated thinking and good writing.
Extracurricular activities should be carefully written so a student can
best highlight all of his or her accomplishments and experience. The
best recommendations come from individuals who really know the student.
They should offer detailed information and-or personal stories about
the applicant that back up the information on the application.
8. Do the research. Know
what the choices are when it comes to colleges. This way any coulda,
shoulda, woulda regrets can be avoided later in life. Research could be
as simple as visiting a school’s website. Students should also try to
attend college fairs, meet with admissions experts when they visit, and
go on college visits.
9. Maximize summer opportunities. High
school students who want to stand out on their college applications
should consider the summer an ideal time to add some resume gold. Good
choices include attending a summer enrichment program, taking a summer
job or internship, participating in volunteer work, taking virtual
classes, attending a dual enrollment program, or taking classes at a
local college.
10. Develop any special talents or abilities. Students
who do something extraordinarily well do gain an edge in the college
admissions process. A special talent or ability can be anything
including performing or visual arts, athletics, science, math, speech
& debate, or writing. Colleges will look for evidence of a student’s
accomplishments through recognition from others (i.e. awards,
scholarships). They may also look for significant contributions that
show the student’s depth of commitment and follow-through. (i.e.
newspaper articles).
11. Get help as needed.
Students who are having trouble with academics or other issues, or need
college guidance, should seek help. It is not hard to ask, though some
students do find it difficult. Adults who are in a position to help may
not know if a student is struggling, if no help is requested. Parents,
teachers, expert independent college advisors can all help the
process.
12. Make smart decisions. Say no to
alcohol, drugs and embarrassing usage of social media. Don’t text and
drive or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. One dumb
mistake can ruin a student’s life.
13. Banish the self-doubt. Fear
of failure and doubting personal abilities only hold students back from
achieving what they want to achieve. Just say no to these thoughts and
others like them.
Different admissions directors seek different
things. Some colleges look for students who are well-rounded, with a
wide assortment of extracurricular activities, others give preference to
those who have displayed a sustained passion for something. Be the best
you, you can be.
Mandee Heller Adler is the Founder and
Principal of International College Counselors, one of the world’s
largest and most successful college and graduate school admissions
counseling businesses. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania
with Honors and two degrees before receiving an MBA from Harvard
Business School, all after attending a Florida-based public high school.
Adler has personally helped hundreds of students across the world find,
apply to, and gain acceptance into college. A member of NACAC, the
National Association for College Admission Counseling, and a
professional member of the IECA, the Independent Educational Consultants
Association, she shares her insights and expertise in From Public School to the Ivy League: How to Get into a Top School Without Top Dollar Resources. For more information, visit www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
