How can I perfect my college application? This question is prominent in many high schoolers’ minds. To them, college can be both a dream and a nightmare; most will eventually undergo the dreaded application process. Creating a striking resume is a difficult task, especially when trying to get into top universities. Luckily, there are various ways to create an outstanding resume and go above and beyond the competition.
The biggest common factor in a quality application is an exceptional academic profile. It’s important to maintain a high GPA throughout the entirety of high school. This means freshman to senior year; some students decide to use their freshman and sophomore year unproductively which can result in a low starting GPA. Starting at the bottom is difficult to recover from and adds unnecessary stress to the student. Instead, taking harder classes (such as honors) and performing well in the beginning to create a strong GPA gives a head start in the competition. Rigorous classes show colleges the potential of a student academically and put students above their classmates. It can also grant them awards that positively impact their application. In later years, it opens more opportunities for extracurricular activities as there will be less stress about raising grades rapidly.
Although grades are an important factor, they are not everything. For example, in top universities, thousands of students will have near-perfect GPAs. This is why extracurriculars play a key role in standing out. Extracurricular activities include sports, clubs, jobs, volunteering, etc. Students should choose extracurriculars they are interested in and are willing to commit to. Trying out a variety of different activities and interests during freshman year can help when picking what to commit to. Starting as a freshman also gives an advantage in attaining leadership roles because of greater experience. In most cases, universities look for commitment and leadership roles in students when reflecting on their interests and strengths.
Another way students can clear the competition is by taking college courses. If they already have a major they are interested in, taking college courses on its fundamentals shows colleges their knowledge of what they are pursuing. However, even if students don’t have a set major in mind it is still important for them to take college classes when they have time. It teaches many skills and gives college credit for free! College credit can help tremendously when applying to colleges with high standards because it showcases abilities and time management.
Other than by college classes and extracurriculars, students can also show their abilities through recommendation letters. Teachers and school counselors write these letters to explain a student’s strengths, behavior, and personal traits based on their relationship with a student.1 Some top universities even require recommendation letters as part of the application. Students should work on creating and maintaining positive relationships with their teachers and counselors. As a result, this will ensure good recommendation letters from their teachers or mentors.
Even with all these elements, the one thing that separates an application from being good to being amazing is the college essay. When applying to top colleges, most students typically have many elements of a great application; the college essay could be the determining factor.2 A superior essay must contain adequate writing and unique experiences. The writing must be immersive, hook the reader, and focus on the writer’s positive traits and abilities through an authentic story. However, it is also a good choice to talk about deeper topics and hardships that had severe impacts which could allow readers to resonate with the story. Honesty in the essays helps show a deeper understanding while showing personality and character traits.
Overall, these components will help an application stand out from the rest. But, it is not always guaranteed that a student will get accepted by a college just by following these steps. Researching specifically about the college and applying according to their policies rather than just following a few steps can be incredibly beneficial. Sometimes, even luck plays a major role when picking only a few applicants from thousands. However, perfecting college applications will always make a difference.