- Because getting into a top college is now even harder than ever...
If you’re like most students looking to go to college, then you’re probably feeling more than a bit of pressure. It may seem your entire future rests on getting into — and excelling at — a high-profile school. With so many high schoolers wanting to attend their dream college, spots at top institutions are limited. So it’s important to take as many strategic steps as possible to snag yours.
When you start to think of ways to secure a place at your school of choice, your mind likely turns to your grade point average. And while it is important (read: very important) to maintain a high GPA, it’s not everything. Nearly everyone who wants to attend an in-demand institution is making good grades. So it’s important to supplement your textbook knowledge with other qualifications and qualities that will make you stand out.
Keep in mind there’s no surefire way to guarantee your slot at any particular school. What you can do, though, is increase the chances you’ll be accepted. With this in mind, read on to learn about three steps to help you attend the college of your dreams.
1. Make Sure You’re Dreaming the Right Dream
Perhaps this step is obvious to some, but it’s worth mentioning. It’s important — critical even — for you to thoroughly research the colleges you apply to. Spots at prestigious universities like those in the Ivy League are in extremely high demand. But just because an institution is popular or famous doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you.
Engage in some thoughtful introspection and determine what you truly want out of your college experience and your life. Then search for a school that supports both. A prestigious university may fulfill your professional and personal aspirations, but be honest about whether or not that’s actually true. You may want more personal contact with professors than you’d get at a graduate-focused institution like Columbia. Or perhaps you can’t abide cold weather, meaning you’d be miserable at Dartmouth for two-thirds of the year.
Thoroughly investigate different schools’ offerings on their web pages. Or get in touch with a college admissions consultant to help guide you through your search process. These trained professionals can help you identify schools that are great matches for you — and help you get into them. While they know the tricks of the trade for getting accepted at highly selective schools, they’re more interested in ensuring your best college fit.
2. Visit Your Dream School (More Than Once If You Can)
After narrowing down your choices, and if budget allows, it’s time to get off the internet and on campus. Because the truth is that you just don’t know what something or somewhere is like until you see it for yourself. Most if not all colleges and universities offer various forms of campus tours. Prospective student days offer the chance to learn about the school through dedicated admissions programming and meet other applicants.
While such scheduled admission events can be valuable, also arrange an individual visit if possible. A quiet, normal day in late fall or winter will provide a more candid look into a place. You’ll likely be paired with a student host, giving you a taste of dorm and classroom life. You can use these visits to confirm whether or not your dream school really is your dream school. You’ll also have more opportunities to connect with current students and, most importantly, admissions.
While the admissions process is supposed to be unbiased and dispassionate, that’s not always how things shake out. Whether it’s how things should be or not, in the real world, who you know does matter. By meeting with admissions representatives, you won’t just be a faceless name on an application. While this won’t necessarily guarantee you a spot at the school, making your presence and desire to attend known certainly won’t hurt your chances.
3. Bolster Your Non-Academic Profile
As you strive to respectfully and appropriately ingratiate yourself, continue to hone your credentials. Maintain that high GPA, of course, but don’t neglect your non-academics either. Because so many elite colleges have their pick of high-flying applicants, they aren’t only looking at GPA anymore.
Many colleges want to see students who reach beyond the academic curriculum for their education. Sports, arts, clubs, organizations, jobs, and hobbies are just some extracurriculars you can use to display your curiosity for life. So pursue favored hobbies, publish your short stories, volunteer weekly at a shelter, get a job. Do things that show your dream school you’re engaged with life from many angles.
That said, college admissions officers can spot a lack of authenticity, so don’t suddenly take up dozens of extracurriculars you don’t care for. Follow your interests, passions, and even vague curiosities. Discover what truly excites you about life and pursue it. Remember that getting into college is not an end in itself. College is a means to the end of enabling you to make the most out of your life.
Upping Your Chances of Living the College Dream
The four years you’ll spend in college probably loom large in your imagination — and not without reason. Your choice of school can determine your career trajectory and make you contacts that will critically influence your professional and personal life thereafter.
To boost your chances of living the college dream, first make sure you’re pursuing the right one. Then continue to burnish your academic and extracurricular credentials as you work to forge on-campus connections. These efforts will help you stand out and increase your chances of attending the college of your dreams.