Ace Admissions: 5 Tips For Getting Into Your Dream College
You’re entering junior year… And you’re starting to panic a bit about the college admissions process. Heck, I did. Between studying for the SATs, crafting the perfect application essay and then figuring out how to pay for it, the stressors of university prep can drain the fun out of your final years in high school.
Nailing the application process isn’t a science, but there are a few hidden advantages select applicants have, many without even knowing. Here’s a glimpse:
Find Your “Bullet” Early
Ok, picture this scenario: Your dream college’s admissions officer is reviewing 5 different applications (and one of them is yours). Why will he pick YOU?
The answer is your “bullet,” your super awesome achievement that makes you completely unique outside of test scores. Perhaps you tried starting a company or nonprofit while still in high school? (Leadership is one of the most attractive features that colleges seek in their admitted students.) Come up with your own idea, and then get your friends to work with you — especially if they’re in need of some volunteer opportunities, too.
Clean Up Your Social Media Accounts
Sorry, but your parents are right about this one. Admissions officers have been known to check out students’ social media profiles during the application process. So make sure you’ve deleted anything that would be a potential red flag well before submitting your application…
Good rule of thumb: If your parents wouldn’t be proud of it, neither will your future university.
Be Honest… REALLY Honest
Let’s be frank, competition is stiff and admissions officers know that. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students all try to showcase their “best”, but it’s not always accurate. Admissions officers can add. Make sure that the amount of time you spend in your extracurriculars isn’t outside the realm of what is reasonable for a student…
In short, don’t inflate yourself so much you pop.
Time Your SATS & ACTS Strategically
Give yourself a boost before you even arrive on test day — it starts by selecting a test date that coincides with your current curriculum. Sync with your teachers to get an idea of what you’ll study throughout the year, then select a test date closest to when your toughest material is still fresh!
Pro Tip: Testing in June your Junior year is a student favorite, since your semester’s curriculum will still be fresh from finals week.
Know The Value Of Your Test Score
Colleges often say they want to get to know the real you, but that’s probably true only if your academic accomplishments pass their first admissions round.
A large number of universities judge candidates based on their “super score”, which compiles the highest section scores across all of your test dates. This means that students who take these tests more than once may actually have an advantage… so before scheduling your test dates, check your dream university’s policy. You may anticipate that you’ll take the SAT or ACT two or three times.
Whether you take it once or thrice, prepare for the test in advance through a test prep course that’s unique to your strengths and weaknesses. Busy students should select options they can leverage on their own schedules, like DiagKNOWstics. Learn more here.
