Comments on: How Does The College Admission Process Work?

By: iSpeakTh

iSpeakTh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:16:04 +0000

The two most factors are GPA and test scores. GPA needs to be high, and the coursework needs to be appropriate college-prep level or higher. SAT/ACT scores will also need to be high. If there are subject tests required, then you will need to score well. These factors are easily quantifiable and verifiable; misstating your abilities in these two categories is not possible since you need to submit official transcripts and test scores from the testing source directly. At first tier schools, if you do not even meet the minimum cut-offs, your application is never even looked at by a human so that essay you wrote is never read.
Extracurriculars are overblown with students having the wrong idea about it. Things like being in a club or whatever are not important. Admissions has no effective way of verifying any of that, and it is not easily quantifiable anyway so the weight is near zilch. What would matter is something unusually substantial for an applicant: for example, unusual entrepreneurship ability that has allowed one to rake in millions of dollars through their own formed company. Or being involved in a sport where you can qualified for being a junior national champion or olympic team. A speech contest where you took part in the national finals. A fundraiser where you raised hundreds of thousands for an orphan fund, with the governor writing you a personal letter of recommendation. Those are where it counts… And even then, none of this is a substitute for the two big ones: GPA and test scores.

By: Climbin boi

Climbin boi — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:40:48 +0000

You need to have a really high ACT/SAT score. Probably a 33 to 36 on the ACT. You need to have good extracurricular activities that show leadership and how you excel in certain areas/subjects. Sports can be good too but are not as important unless you want to get a scholarship there. You need to be sure to put everything down on a resume too. Once you have that together, you can then apply to the college usually through their website.

By: Johnny D

Johnny D — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:05:37 +0000

Well, the colleges first give you a rank based solely on your standardized test scores and GPA. They review your applications in that order. That means that if your rank is too low, they may run out of available spots in the school. At that point they look at recs, essays, and your resume. They decide if you are right for the school. This means that the schools are very subjective and there is no formula to get into a certain school. If they feel you will be an asset to their program, they will accept you. You never really know though. In your resume and essays, they look for some key things, but they really see if you are a good fit. THey may look for involvement in extracurriculars, including awards and officer positions. See how you spend your summers or your spare time, and what kind of person you are. DIfferent schools feel different things are important. UPenn finds legacies and donations for example extremely important. Dartmouth finds ethnicity important…

By: Katie W

Katie W — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:35:02 +0000

Essentially, they look for the best chance that that person will do well in college — that they are likely to graduate, and hopefully with good grades, and to go on to a good job… and to donate back to their university as an alum and speak well of the school to others to encourage more good quality applicants!
This varies a bit, especially depending on the degree, and even moreso, with whom you are competing for the slot. It is good to show responsibility, ability to balance school and life, leadership, good grades, and planning for your future. For example, one obvious one, taking classes in high school that are pertinent to your future major; if you claim to be interested in computer science but you took the easy math schedule and lots of art classes, they won’t take you seriously no matter how good your grades are.

By: Man vs. Chicken

Man vs. Chicken — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:42:17 +0000

The decision process and whether you get accepted is totally out of your control (to an extent. here are some quick tips)
-Universities look for AP courses and Honors classes on your course history (3 or more of either, the better).
-They look for a high GPA. If aiming for an Ivy League school, it should be of a 3.7 AND HIGHER.
-They look for interesting after school clubs or extra curricular activities. (Student government, drama competitions, library council…etc You name it. The more activities and groups you are involved in, the better.
-They look for originality.
-Talent.
-A student that “sticks out” of the bunch. They don’t want a “regular” student, if you know what I mean.
-SAT/ACT scores should be one of the highest in your school.
This website below should be your best friend at helping you through. Keep it in your favorites.
Good luck.