Applying to College: How to Stand Out from the Cro

Most high school students applying to college worry about getting lost in the thousands of applications that flood admissions' offices each year. "How can I let them know what I'm like?" is a question we hear often. "How will they know that I'm more that my SAT scores, more than my grades?" [b][b]Next Steps [b][b]Use Advanced School Search to Find Your Best Match Schools [b]([url= [b]Beat the Deadline Crunch. Complete Your Application Profile [b]([url= [b]Sign Up for School Match for Top Colleges to Find You [b]([url= [b]Consider Army ROTC for scholarships and experience [b]([url= [b]See How the Colleges Stack Up: Best 345 College Rankings [b]([url= [b][b]These are important questions. It's true - admissions officers read huge volumes of applications, and they often lose sight of the person behind the SAT scores. Your job is to make yourself known in every way possible. [b][b]Related Links [b][b]What Colleges Are Looking For in an Applicant: [b][url= [b]What Colleges Want [b][url= [b]An Insider's Take on College Recruitment [b][url= [b]Dean's List: Q&A With Admissions Directors [b][url= [b]BUY THE BOOK: Visiting College Campuses [b][b]The most successful applicants put together compelling applications -- it's as simple as that. And the most distinctive feature of an outstanding application is its cohesiveness. Each aspect of the application should compliment all other parts, leaving no holes in your argument for poking, and should lead to the same logical conclusion - the conviction that you would be an asset to the school. [b][b]It's important to have someone with a keen analytical eye look over your application to ensure that your app, as a whole, has reached its full potential. Make sure to run your application by someone who's either a good editor, or someone who has seen a lot of kids get into their first-choice schools. The following tips will give your application the strength and personality it needs to make a favorable impression: [b][b]The Transcript: This is the most important document in your application. Let the admissions committee know that you like a challenge by taking the most rigorous courses your school has to offer. Take math and science, English, foreign language, and history all 4 years. If you're worried about pulling a low grade in a tough class, think about other activities you can cut back on to make more time for studying. Admissions officers are not impressed by high grades in easy classes - and they know what the easy classes are. There's no fooling them. If there's a subject that you're not crazy about, take it anyway. There are no shortcuts to the most selective colleges. [b][b]A strong transcript with lots of tough courses will tell the admissions committee that you're a mature, dedicated, and sharp student and that you take your studies seriously. [b][b]The Essay: While the essay tends not to be the most critical part of the college application, it can be if you take the time to get it right. The essay is one of the only documents that brings personality to the college application. Do yourself a HUGE favor and let the admissions committee see your personality. Don't write about issues or concepts that you think are clever, cute, or precocious. This will only lead to contrived, flat essays that do nothing for admissions officers but bore them silly. Take a few minutes to think about something that's happened in your life that was either really great or really lousy. Write about that. You want an essay this feels authentic, honest, and has an emotional kick to it. This is the way to best show your admissions reader what you're all about. If you're able to really bring your personality into your essay, your admissions reader will be more likely to remember who you are when they present your application to the admissions committee. [b][b]Take the time to proofread and edit your final version. And be sure to give it to someone else to read bore submitting it - typos won't win you any points in the admissions game. [b][b]Supplemental Material: If there's something that you love to do, address it in your application. While there's no guarantee that your admissions reader will have an interest in your particular talent, go ahead and share it. The trick is to select your submissions carully and not overdo it. If you're into the visual arts, choose a handful of your favorite slides or pictures and include them in your application. If you send too many, they'll end up in a box at the basement of the admissions office, unopened. Do yourself a favor and choose a small number that can easily fit into your admissions folder. If your admissions reader is at the end of a stack of applications when they get to yours, they may really appreciate something beautiful or interesting to look at. Whether or not they know it, seeing your artwork will help them remember that you're a human being. [b][b]If you're a writer or journalist, choose one poem, story or essay and include it with your application. There's no guarantee that it will be read, but again, the point is to remind admissions officers that a real person, with real talents and interests is submitting this admission applications. As with any supplemental material, less is more. If you've written a book, I guarantee you that no one will read the entire book. They may - if you're lucky - read a short poem or story. [b][b]If there's something else you've accomplished that you'd like the admissions committee to know, include an addendum to your application, that addresses your particular interest/accomplishment. Simply include an additional piece of paper with the word "Addendum" at the top. And as always, keep it simple. One paragraph is usually all it takes to address any given involvement. And one paragraph is all an admissions officer is likely to read. [b][b]Phone Calls: If you've fallen in love with a particular school (for all the right reasons), don't be afraid to call the admissions officer responsible for your application. If you're applying to a highly selective school, this may not have much impact, ultimately you'll need a strong transcript. However, it doesn't hurt to get the person who knows best answer your questions. And it might help if he or she can put a voice to an application. In general, you want to be respectful with his or her time and call only if you have a legitimate question or concern. If so, don't be shy - admissions offices have phone numbers for a reason. [b][b]Final Thoughts [b]While it may feel as though you need to jump through hoops, yell from high towers, and otherwise humiliate yourself to be noticed in the college application process, the truth is all you need to do is take every step as thoughtfully as possible. Be honest, clear, and thoughtful as you choose your classes, write your essays, and research colleges. If you take all the necessary steps to build a strong high school record, you will find that being admitted to college will not be the overwhelming experience you've feared. Take it one day at a time, and always ask for help if you find that there's a piece of this puzzle that confuses you. By reading this article you've already taken a good first step. Good luck!立即咨询