College admission process that fits you
College admissions is all about finding a school that fits you. As an applicant, you are
looking for an environment where you can thrive academically and personally, and it is the
job of an admission officer to identify students who will make great additions to a unique
campus community. There are multiple parts of a completed admissions application, and each
college requires something slightly different.
It takes hard work to guarantee your college application stands out. Make it rise to the top
of the pile by becoming familiar with the application process and getting organized. A lot
of moving parts go into applying to college— tests, essays, recommendation letters,
transcripts—and each element has a deadline attached. Make careful note of deadlines for
each school you're applying to so you don't miss them!
HOW MANY SCHOOLS TO APPLY TO :
There are a ton of schools out there, but applying to too many colleges is a common mistake. Submitting your application to between five and eight colleges is suggested. Of that list, you should include a variety of dream schools, safety schools and possible schools:
There are a ton of schools out there, but applying to too many colleges is a common mistake. Submitting your application to between five and eight colleges is suggested. Of that list, you should include a variety of dream schools, safety schools and possible schools:
- Dream schools are colleges you know will be a challenge to get into.
- Target Schools are college you need to target considering all the key factors
- Match Schools are college you know that match perfectly with your interests & financial budget
- Safety schools are colleges you know are very likely to accept you.
- Possible schools are the colleges you have a good chance of getting into.
The College Application Checklist
Having a clear list of steps to follow helps students meet deadlines and make the college application process smoother. While learners should also consider other components, such as completing additional supplementary materials and requesting high school transcripts, the following list covers some of the basics.
- Research and Self-Reflection
- Choose Where to Apply
- Take Required Standardized Tests
- Plan When to Apply
- Complete Your Application
- Applying for Financial Aid
- Choose Where to Attend
Things College Applicants Can Do to Stand Out – In a Good Way.
Build on your academic strengths :
Schools are looking for students who have not only done well but who have also challenged themselves, as they are more likely to succeed in college-level courses. The key is to plan ahead and start in eighth or ninth grade to build a foundation that will open doors to advanced coursework later on.
For instance, you can also opt for online courses to strengthen your profile. Online courses in a similar domain as your area of interest will help you gain some insight about the field you would wish to pursue. This would also add credibility to your claim for having an interest in that specific area of study. If you wish to stand out amongst the thousands of applications for one particular program, an online course in the same area of interest will give your profile a major boost.
Get a handle on the tests
The University of your choice :
Always remember to check your entry requirements for your course before taking up any entrance test. Different courses consider Colleges have long relied on standardized tests to help them differentiate between students in a way that grades alone cannot.
To get your journey
going,
you will have to take a language assessment test and an
admissions test before applying. There are many standard entrance tests in various
regions abroad, leading to the question, which study abroad exams do I need to take
to
study abroad?
There is no single answer to that question, as it depends on
various
factors. These include:
- The subject you want to study (law, business, medicine…)
- The level of your course (foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate…)
- The country of your choice
Think outside your school's extracurriculars :
No matter what your interests are, find ways to use them to make a contribution to your school or local community. Colleges look at extracurriculars in the context of a student's environment.
Extracurricular activities show colleges a wide range of your aspects and characteristics that form a positive impression, such as being willing to learn new skills or work with others as a team. Your extracurricular activities on your college application should also provide colleges with information on your interests outside of your field, which helps show that you’re a well-rounded student.
Consider recommendations carefully :
Always give great consideration to the people you ask to write a recommendation. While letters of recommendation are just one part of your application, they do play an important role in the college admissions process. These letters provide admission representatives with valuable information that’s not necessarily obvious from your college application alone. Letters of recommendation stand as a testament to your unique qualities, character, tenacity, academic successes, and personal achievements.
Show up, to the extent you're able :
Visiting the campus shows the admissions office that you'd be likely to attend if accepted. Showing up is still a great way to reveal what schools refer to as "demonstrated interest," Making a trip to campus isn't the only way to let your interest be known, especially in the digital age which includes opening a college's emails or clicking on a link in a particular message, participating in a webinar or Facebook Live event, and more. And be sure to introduce yourself to recruiters during visits to your high school or at local college fairs