Students and parents are often bewildered by the whole college admission process. Besides the proverbial grade point average and entrance exam results, few students and parents understand the other components that go into the admission review.
College Admission Basics
College admission counselors need to be sure that the potential student has the ability to academically successful while at college. The best indicators for success are the student's grade point average (GPA) and college entrance exams (ACT and SAT). The higher the grade point average and test score, the likelihood that student has gained the necessary academic skills to transfer to college level academics.
High School Curriculum
High school GPAs can not stand alone. College admission counselors will review the student's high school curriculum to ensure proper college preparatory courses have been taken. These courses include English, social studies, math, science, foreign languages, and fine art. Students can demonstrate mastery in these areas by taking the courses at an honors or Advanced Placement. Further information on courses for college can be found in the article Course Prerequisites for College.
Class Rank
The admission committee will request class rank information on all applicants. Class rank compares students to the rest of their class in terms of GPA. This factor assists the committee to learn if the high school has a grade inflation issue and/or the competitiveness of the high school.
Extracurricular Involvement
Involvement in sports and clubs shows various character qualities like leadership, honesty, respect, and teamwork. These qualities directly transfer to the college community and eventually to the world of work. Colleges also want students to continue to participate in college activities where the student can use these character qualities. Common activities include sport teams, intramural sport teams, student clubs, sororities and fraternities, student newspapers, student council and more.
Volunteer Activities
Service to the community is a key factor in today's admission game. Volunteering demonstrates a commitment to bettering society through unselfish acts. Volunteering activities need to be on the larger scale rather than multiple small ones.
For example, participating in a walk-a-thon to raise money for a cause only takes a few hours of time. Students need to show their commitment to the cause on a larger scale. An example could be for the student to set a money goal for the cause and create a walking team as well as additional fundraisers to meet the goal.
Volunteering that solves a community problem is an attractive attribute in the eyes of the admission committee. For more information on volunteering, please view the article on Volunteering and College Admission.
Additional Factors
Colleges will use additional factors when considering admission status. Examples include minority status, first generation status, recommendations, essays/statements, and extenuating circumstances. Check out the University of Minnesota's list of additional factors for admission consideration. Be sure to contact the admission office of choice or their website to view additional factors in admission at their institution.
Overall, colleges want students who demonstrate well roundedness and have gone the way of holistic admission process. Students who can present themselves on various personal levels will be more attractive to admission counselors. On the same level, students who can separate themselves from the mass of other applicants are desired. If students can do this, they become attractive to college admission committees.
For more information on the college application process, please view the article How to Apply to College.
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