Helping students access their top-choice schools

Today’s high school students face many challenges when it comes to gaining entry into the colleges of their choice. As children of the post-baby boom generation, this group, referred to as “millennials,” was born during a time of economic and social stability. Katherine Cohen, author of The Truth About Getting In, writes that, “these millennial students will find increasing demands and fewer top slots available to them for college admissions. Although the applicant pool is growing, acquiring more resources and becoming better informed, the number of spots at the nation’s top colleges remains the same, creating a feeling of scarcity and fierce competition.”

Add these demands to the daily high school pressures, and the undertaking of applying to college may seem to require the skill level of an experienced publicist. “The college admissions process has unfortunately become one of the most stressful times in a young student’s life,” claims Cohen. “And it’s no walk in the park for parents, either.”

What do admissions counselors really want?
Good grades and high test scores continue to be important. But colleges are looking for more than just numbers. They’re also looking for:
High-impact recruits
According to Michele A. Hernandez in her book, Acing the College Application, “today’s colleges are looking for…the kinds of students who show initiative and passion… [It’s in] the college’s best interest to have graduates who may become a long-term investment for the college.”

Evidence of hard work and commitment
Often, this can best be explained in the student’s personal essay. Peggy Richmond, director of admissions at Keene State College in New Hampshire, says, “rather than create a laundry list of every activity that the student has done, what we consider more important is the level and kind of participation in a particular activity.” For example, students who have been actively involved in their schools or work with charitable organizations should show some consistent time spent participating in something they really care about.

Strong interest in attending the school
Rather than applying to a college simply because their parents or friends attended the school, admissions counselors like to see that students have done their research and are knowledgeable about the college’s programs. It’s up to applicants to explain why this would be a good match.

With all the paperwork involved in the application process, guidance counselors can help students organize their materials and prep them on how to ask good questions when going on an interview. Many parents are overwhelmed or unable to help find the right kind of information their children need to make informed decisions. Knowing how to conduct an interview with a college admissions advisor can be daunting without good preparation.

What makes a student’s application shine?
“Their transcripts are what we look at,” says Richmond, “but every once in a while, one applicant may stand out.” Another important aspect of the review process is the personal essay. “Writing a creative, exciting essay will help a mediocre student stand out. And a personal interview can’t hurt either,” she says.

“Students have the opportunity to make their applications shine by including information about the things they are passionate about,” says Joan Isaac Mohr, vice president and dean of admissions at Quinnipiac University. “The essay is the prime place to do this. Choose a topic that excites you and allows your personality to come through. It should be something that sparks your interest and allows you to be descriptive and engage the reader.”

This can be a tall order for a student whose writing skills are weak, or intimidating to a student who isn’t comfortable with having a “brag sheet” in the first place. Research indicates that the essay is a critical part of the application process and may help students with mediocre academic records by presenting their other significant strengths.

Isaac Mohr strongly advises students to have their applications in well before college deadlines “so that there’s still space available, and they’ll know your interest is genuine. We are on a rolling admission; students who apply very late in the process may have been admitted if their information had arrived earlier.”

Why are students rejected?
Applying to college is not an exact science, so there isn’t any one factor that may result in being accepted or rejected.

“Most often, students are rejected because of poor performance in high school,” says Richmond. “We are looking for students who have worked hard, and we focus on the types of classes they have taken.” Honesty is a highly valued ethic, so if students embellish their records or use previously written essays, an astute admissions department will automatically reject that student. It’s best when an essay closely mirrors the student’s voice and interests and isn’t over-edited.

“If your first-choice school rejects you, move on,” Isaac Mohr suggests. “You should always have several options to choose from when looking at colleges. There is no one perfect school, (and) there are likely several that would be a great choice.”

From a guidance perspective
In addition to the task of writing recommendations and honoring transcript requests, a significant way you can help students is to identify their strengths and interests, and to focus on drawing attention to these traits during the application process.

In spite of the limited time you may be able to give each student, remember how it felt to have someone help you identify what you had to offer, and it will be a priceless gift.

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