Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten (B.F Skinner). Imagine applying to college with a 95% average and not getting accepted. How could this happen? Some colleges place a high emphasis on other aspects of your college application. Applying to college can be one of the most exciting and stressful times in a young persons life. This is why I put together a list of college requirements that you need to ensure that your application sticks out:
Academics
This goes without say, grades matter. The College/University that you apply to will shred your application right away if you do not have the minimum required grades that all of the other applicants possess. Since I know that these days young people would rather focus their energy on earning an income as opposed to spending every living moment reading, there are 3 more ingredients for the college application.
Volunteer hours
The bad news is that sometimes a 95% average will not make the cut due to the intense competition. The good news is that most of these applicants will likely have no other qualifications. Surprisingly enough colleges take volunteer hours very seriously because it shows that you help out in your community and that you would be a perfect addition to the community the college is located in. It’s no secret that the thought of doing something for free isn’t exactly appealing to most young people. However, once you find a volunteer position that is fulfilling and allows you to help others then your stance on working for free may change.
Work experience
As important as grades are college recruitment officers greatly value applicants that have some “hands on” experience in the field. You can study crazy hours during the week to get a high grade in marketing but that doesn’t mean anything until you prove that you have the ability to apply this knowledge. Whether you’re a high school student, mature student, or a degree holder trying to get into graduate school, it is crucial that you show the recruitment office you are very serious about the field.
Extra curricular activities
Playing a competitive sport or being apart of a chess team goes further than you think. Extra curricular activities show that you have the ability to balance a variety of things in your life. Sure you could study all day and night to boost your grades in high school but what will happen when in college you realize that you will need to work? Or that you want to be apart of a particular group?
At the end of the day I just want to open everyone’s eyes to the fact that a college application has many aspects to it. Is there a specific area that you would like to improve?
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This is definitely some good information. It’s been almost 8 years since I applied for college, but it looks like nowadays the “formula” for making it to a particular college isn’t so set in stone. These 4 major things you mentioned are definitely considered, but also I’m sure admissions officers are looking for students who would “add value” to the college. They’re looking for the prospective student who would graduate from the college and bring more fame to the college through the contributions this student makes in the world around us. (Or join the faculty after getting a post-graduate degree.)
There are tons of people who meet all 4 requirements and still do not get into the colleges of their choice. I don’t know how big of a role the admissions essay plays, but perhaps that’s another way for students to let their star shine.