1. A Changing High School Curriculum

 

Academically successful students should take at least five core courses every semester. include AP, IB, and honors if they can get good grades in them. Most colleges recalculate GPA based only on core subjects (English, math, science, social science, foreign language, programming). ​

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2. Grades That Represent Strong Effort & An Upward Trend

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Slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all A's in less challenging courses. 

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3. Solid Scores on the SAT or ACT-- Consistent with High School Grades

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High scores on a standardized test do not compensate for low grades.

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4. Passionate Involvement in a Few Activities, Demonstrating Leadership, Initiative, Impact, and an Angle.

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Depth, not breadth, of experience, is most important. Colleges seek "angled" students with a passion, not "well-rounded" students/ Substantive commitment to a few activities is preferable to participation in several mini activities-- and more rewarding! To complement applications, students should create a detailed resume to showcase their activities.  

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5. Out-Of-School Experiences, Including Summer Activities, Work, and Hobbies That Reflect Responsibility, Dedication, and Areas of Interest.

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Meaningful use of your free time is essential! Students should include these commitments on their resumes. 

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6. Special Talents or Experiences that Will Contribute to an Interesting, Well-rounded Student Body.

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A student who goes the extra mile to develop a special talent in sports, research, writing, the arts, or anything else will gain an edge. Students should consider sending college evidence of anything that makes them stand out (e.g. portfolio of their creative writing, research abstract, file, CD, or DVD or their talent. 

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7. A Well-Written Essay That Provides Insight Into the Student's Personality, Values, and Goals.

 

An application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal. It should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writings. This is your chance to tell your story!

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8. Anecdotal Letters of Recommendation from Teachers and the Student Counselor that Give Evidence of Your Intellectual Curiosity, Special Skills, and Positive Character Traits

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An extra recommendation from a coach, supervisor, or someone who knows you well can help only if it sheds new light on your talents. However, letters from family friends, even if they are well-known individuals, are rarely given much weight. 

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9. Demonstrated Enthusiasm for Attending a university, as Evidenced by a Campus Visit, Interview, and Ongoing Contact with the Admission Office.

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Early in the college-planning process, students should schedule campus visits, including an information session, tour, and interview if available. They should stay in touch with admissions representatives and attend local presentations. 

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10. Demonstrated Intellectual Curiosoty Through Reading, Schoool, and Extracurricular Pursuits, Summer Activities, and More. 

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