How to Get Into College: 8 Admissions Tips

The college application process is not like any other. It needs hard effort, determination, and, in many cases, the assistance of family, school staff, or college consultants. In addition to receiving outstanding grades and SAT or ACT scores, you must compose a convincing essay and obtain letters of recommendation.

However, getting into a good school does not have to be a daunting task. Below are our top nine ideas for increasing your chances of being accepted to your dream institution.

1.Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out

Despite the reinstatement of standardized test requirements, the personal statement remains a crucial component of college admissions. The essay or writing sample was deemed at least moderately important by more than half of the universities assessed by NACAC. One of the best ways to market yourself is through the essay.

“A standout essay shows the admissions team who the student is outside of a GPA or test score,” Skeldon says. Make sure to invest effort in creating a distinctive viewpoint and selecting the appropriate prompt for you. Your objective should be to narrate a personal, captivating tale.

2. Achieve Good Grades in Difficult Classes

A good GPA mixed with hard courses is by far one of the most essential college admissions criteria.

According to a 2023 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), almost three out of four universities deemed course grades to be very essential when making admission decisions.

“A good GPA gets you through the first round,” says Christina Skeldon, a college consultant and executive functioning coach at JBG Educational Group. “After that, I want to see something that makes the student stand out.” What did they do outside of class? Who are they besides a student?

Furthermore, about 86% of schools rated curricular strength as “moderately” or “considerably” important.

3. Earn a high SAT/ACT score.

While numerous colleges implemented test-optional rules in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of schools, including Harvard, Stanford, and Brown University, have reintroduced testing requirements.

Even if the college you’re applying to does not require SAT/ACT results, you should still submit them. According to a Dartmouth University research, test results can help identify “high-achieving, less-advantaged applicants.” Without scores, admissions officers leaned more heavily on variables that favored higher-income students, such as guidance counselor recommendations and admissions officers’ nonacademic ratings.

The most effective way to study for either exam is to use official practice questions and tests, many of which are free. You can also purchase SAT or ACT prep books, take SAT or ACT prep seminars, or hire a tutor.

Although test scores are an important aspect of a college application, colleges in the NACAC survey did not place them as high as grades and course rigor. Approximately 70% of colleges rank standardized test scores as “limited” or “no” value.

4. Secure strong letters of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation are crucial because they show characteristics of your personality that grades and test scores cannot. You should ask people who can characterize your abilities, accomplishments, and attitude positively and enthusiastically.

Most institutions require 1-3 recommendation letters, usually from instructors and high school guidance counselors. Approximately half of the colleges in the NACAC research regard teacher and counselor recommendations as at least moderately important in admissions. Make your request politely.

In addition, make sure to ask at least a month before your college application deadline. You want your recommender to have enough time to write an effective letter on your behalf.

For more insights on excelling in your academic journey, check out our article on college application mistakes for High School Students to boost your grades and prepare for college success.”

5. Get Help When You Need It

The college application process can be complex, and it is not something to tackle alone. As you prepare to submit your application, speak with people who are knowledgeable with the admissions process, such as your guidance counselor and professors, about how to get into college.

You can also seek advice from parents, friends, elder siblings, and relatives during the admissions process. Their advice, especially if they have recently applied or are graduates of the university you are interested in, can be quite useful.

Finally, do not forget to have someone review and proofread your complete application. “Always, always, always have someone else look through it,” Skeldon insisted. “Little things like grammar, spelling, and punctuation can make a big difference.

6. Apply to a diverse selection of colleges.

Students should apply to multiple schools, including safety, match, and reach schools. Your high school guidance counselor can assist you in compiling a list of suitable schools where you meet or surpass all entrance requirements.

These will be your matches and safety schools, giving you a good probability of acceptance. After that, you can consider reaching out to colleges or institutions that you are unlikely to attend. It is worth noting that several colleges, notably the Ivy League and selective institutions like Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology, are open to all students.

While applying to multiple universities boosts your chances of getting into at least one, even if you are denied by your chosen school, the application fees can quickly add up.

“Part of the preparation also includes having a variety of schools on your application list that will maximize your admissions and financial aid offers,” said high school and college planning counselor Norma Feriz-Gordon.

You can receive need-based application fee waivers, particularly if you qualify for SAT/ACT price waivers. The Common App, a website that allows you to apply to numerous institutions at once, offers price waivers provided you meet the same requirements for a SAT waiver. Furthermore, several colleges and universities will eliminate fees if you contact their admissions department.

7.Opt for an Early Admission Plan

If you are determined to attend a specific college, evidence indicates that applying early can improve your chances of acceptance. This is because colleges typically admit a larger percentage of students during the early decision and early action rounds.

“Early action is beneficial for so many reasons, and I always push my students to apply this way if the school offers it,” Skeldon told me. Both early decision and early action programs demand that you apply early, usually in November. You might also anticipate to get an acceptance decision early, often around December.While early decision is a contractual promise to attend that university if admitted, early action offers you greater flexibility and does not tie you to a single school.

“Start your application process well in advance,” Feriz-Gordon said. “This includes obtaining required documentation, writing personal statements, and preparing for interviews or tests. An early start helps you to examine and improve your application, making it as powerful as possible.”

8. Manage your online reputation.

Admissions officers are increasingly scrutinizing candidates’ social media accounts to learn more about them and uncover potential issues that would prevent them from accepting an offer.

Make sure your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn profiles are clear of anything you don’t want universities to see while applying. “It is important to have an appropriate email address, and social media accounts should be [set to] private,” Skeldon told me. You should also conduct a Google search for your name to check that nothing unpleasant about you is floating around online.

According to Feriz-Gordon, not every college admissions officer will check your social media, but they may discover about unflattering social media posts, including those on other people’s accounts.”That could lead not only to a red flag but one of more institutions revoking their acceptance or not offering a seat in the first place,” Feriz-Gordon predicted. “It is important to not only manage your online presence but your in-person presence too!”

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Looking to enhance your academic profile? Read our article on how to write a statement of purpose sop that gets you admission and scholarship

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