| Just because you want to go to college, does not necessarily mean you will
get into the college of your choice. All colleges have raised their
entrance requirements in the past few years. Each has their own g.p.a., rank
in class, or ACT/SAT requirements. It is important that you check with each
particular college to see if you meet their requirements.
What happens if you do not meet the requirements?
All is not lost. There is no shame in going to a junior college or
community college for your first year in order to raise your grade point
average. It may be necessary. However, rather than look at it as a failure
of sorts, look at it as further preparation for you to reach your ultimate
goal - graduating from the university of your choice.
How many colleges should you apply to? Use the information below as a
guideline:
1-3 Sure Bets (These will be the colleges you know you can afford)
2-3 Middle Bets (These will be colleges you could possibly afford)
1-2 Long Shots (These are your dream schools)
Make sure you do not apply to any place that you may be miserable. Really
research and KNOW all about each of the schools you apply to. Have
communication with them. Let them recognize your name. Visit, if possible.
Make sure that when you leave your e-mail address with a college, let it be
professional, normal, common name. Colleges are not impressed with cutsy
names (ie: buffy, bitsy, hotman, stud, etc)
WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN AN APPLICANT?
If you want to get into a particular college, pay attention to these things
in order to increase your chances of being selected for entrance:
1. GPA It is very important to have the highest GPA possible. Remember,
every course is important and every grade you make should be your best
effort.
2. TEST SCORES Whether it is ACT or SAT, strive to get the highest score
you can. These tests speak for who you are academically when you are not
there in person. The higher the score, the more likely colleges will be
interested in you. They only want the best person representing their
university. Take these tests several times. It is more likely that each
time you take the test, your score will improve. Take prep courses, get the
test books and PRACTICE. Take practice tests online. All the preparation
will pay off in the end.
3. APPLICATION This is the college's first impression of you. How it is
presented is very important. ALWAYS send in a TYPED application. It is
much easier to read and shows that you CARE about the impression you are
giving.
4. ESSAY Make sure that you ANSWER the question they are asking. Write
the response in your own voice. They do not want to read what you think
they want to hear. Get their attention with the opening line. Be
creative. Be an individual. It is here where you are selling yourself to
the university.
5. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Colleges are looking for students who
stand out above the rest. Include all the leadership positions you have
held in any of you extra curricular activities. As time goes by, you may
tend to forget what you have done. It is important to keep a list of all of
you activities, all of your awards, and any leadership position you may have
held for any club, team, etc. Keep only a list of your accomplishments
during high school. Colleges are looking for a student that has reached
recognition BEYOND the local level (high school). If you are recognized in
the community, scouting, volunteering outside of school, etc will impress
the colleges.
6. INTANGIBLES Unfortunately, this is nothing you have control over. It
is the area of particular need for the university (be it athletic, arts,
musician, demographics, etc).
YOU WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF STAND OUT IN EACH AND ALL OF THE ABOVE AREAS. YOU
ARE BASICALLY SELLING YOURSELF TO THE UNIVERSITY. YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE THEM
THAT THEY WANT YOU AS MUCH AS YOU WANT THEM.
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