Increase your Chances of Getting into the Best College for You

Getting into one of the best colleges will require a plan of action, a recipe if you will. The process for college applications is fairly simple you choose a school, submit some paper work and wait for a decision. It is however, possible to prepare in advance for a better chance of getting accepted into the best college for you.

Getting into one of the best colleges will require a plan of action, a recipe if you will. The process for college applications is fairly simple you choose a school, submit some paper work and wait for a decision. It is however, possible to prepare in advance for a better chance of getting accepted into the best college for you.

Each school has its own recipe for the mix of ingredients that an applicant requires. They rate your aptitude tests, the activities which you participate in both in and out of school and your background - loosely defined as anything from the type of high school you attend to the position in which you graduate within your class. Each school has a predetermined amount of each ingredient that they look for in their most desirable candidates.

The Ivy League Schools considered among the top colleges in the nation, have an acceptance ration of about 1 to 5; for each five applicants, one is selected for admission. Potential students could have the greatest SAT scores, and be in the top one percent of their class, but if they do nothing but study, they may not make it into the Ivy League because they have no extra-curricular activities on their application. The admissions department views this applicant as being “lop-sided” as opposed to “well rounded”.

What can you do to improve your chances of getting into the best colleges?

Join activities that you like. If you love to play chess, then don’t join the poker team. The important point being that if you should have an interview, you will need to be able to speak about your own experiences. Admissions counselors can tell if you truly enjoy something or if you are just doing it to do it. Make meaningful contributions.

Prepare for your SAT’s. Buy a study guide. Take the actual test several times. Practice the exam questions and seek the advice of a teacher or agency if you have trouble understanding the testing methods. Agencies come in the form of paid for tutoring from a learning center and an experienced teacher may offer one on one time after school or in your home. Over the long haul, if you do not test well, knowing how the mechanics of the test work, having the abilities to eliminate wrong answers and having plenty of opportunities to practice the exams will make it less stressful for you. Less stress means better performance.

Got bad grades? If you should have a bad experience in one or two subjects or classes, don’t fret. Look towards your future and try to do better the next semester. If you get a C in Math, look to get an A next time so the weighted average grade will be a B. The admissions counselors of the top colleges will take into account that you have challenged yourself with some other classes even though you did not do well in the subject. They examine your grades to see that you are trying and to insure that you are not looking to “ride through” their school. They wish to contribute future doctors, lawyers and teachers to the community and up their chances for receiving alumni contributions later in life.

Visit your top choices for college and talk with an admission counselor. Presentation of your skills and your maturity is far more effective in person that on paper. If your grades or aptitude test scores are border-line then this is a must. Practice greeting the individual by offering a firm handshake. Think before you speak. Unless you are a natural- born comedian, avoid silliness or a “routine” as this can come off as planned or fake. A “good you” is far stronger than a “great imposter”. Your personality will help you now and in the future. Learn to be yourself.

Posted on July 15, 2006 at 12:08 PM

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