What colleges actually look for in an application
You’ve heard it all - “a well-rounded student;” “you need to have a SPIKE;” “unique talents;” “a passion project” - but what are colleges actually looking for in an application? In this post, we’ll break it down so you can understand how the application works from an admissions perspective.
Academics
If you've heard that top colleges prioritize academics, you’ve heard right! This is one standard that hasn’t changed much over the years. Research individual colleges for their exact stats, but in general, for top U.S. universities, competitive applicants have an unweighted GPA ranging between 3.9 and 4.0, SAT scores in the range of 1450 to 1580, and ACT scores between 33 and 35.
If you don’t have these scores, however, don’t fret! Students have gotten in with lower scores than this, so don’t count yourself out! Plus, many students who DO have these scores DON’T get accepted, so what is it that colleges are looking for beyond grades and test scores?
…Everything else
Many students and parents are of the belief that strong grades alone are enough to get into top universities. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Strong grades and test scores are the minimum baseline requirement for getting in. After all, Harvard, for the class of 2029, had nearly 48,000 applicants. It’s fair to assume a lot of them had very good grades. So what is it that sets apart those 2,000 who were accepted from those 46,000 who weren’t?
It’s important to remember that the only opportunity the admissions committees have to get to know their applicants is through each individual’s application (i.e., grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, extracurriculars, essays, and, potentially, an interview). If we assume grades and test scores are strong among the applicants being considered, then the only factors differentiating students are: a) how they spend their time (extracurriculars), b) their personality (letters of recommendation, interviews, and essays), and c) their story (essays).
Let’s take a look at extracurriculars first.
The Extracurricular Equation
Colleges know that students spend a lot of time on their schoolwork, but they’re obviously curious about what the student they are considering admitting likes to do in their spare time, and how they will potentially make a contribution to campus.
Of course, if a student has extenuating circumstances like having to work to support their family, taking care of a family member, health issues, etc., admissions committees will take that into consideration, so don’t be afraid of sharing your responsibilities, as well.
However, if a student has the privilege of being able to spend their free time on their own pursuits, colleges are curious to understand why certain activities were chosen over others.
Many students take the “extra academics” route, entering Olympiads, conducting research, or joining writers’ workshops. These are all fantastic options! However, it should not be assumed that academic achievement alone, even on an international scale, is enough to win the committee’s favor.
Stanford’s Mission Statement says:
“We believe strongly in the mission of higher education – to create and share knowledge and to prepare students to be curious, to think critically, and to contribute to the world.”
Princeton’s Mission Statement says:
“Princeton University advances learning through scholarship, research, and teaching of unsurpassed quality, with an emphasis on undergraduate and doctoral education that is distinctive among the world’s great universities, and with a pervasive commitment to serve the nation and the world.”
If you explore the mission statements of top colleges, you will find a similar sentiment: universities are creating knowledge not just for knowledge’s sake, but rather to make a positive impact on the world. And, as is oft heard in the psychological sciences, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.”
Thus, if colleges want their students to contribute something to the world, the best way for them to determine which applicants will contribute to that mission is by identifying those applicants who have already done so.
This is why we at Persimmon recommend that students pursue extracurriculars that align with their own interests while giving back to their communities.
The Personality Piece
This is something most people gloss over in their application, but it’s extremely important nonetheless. Admissions committees are also interested in understanding the personalities of the students they are admitting. It would be terrible if colleges were only filled with people who are unpleasant to be around and have nothing of interest to share!
However, don’t feel compelled to completely change your personality just for a chance at acceptance. Not only is it a pretty tough feat to pull off, but you might end up in a place where you’re not happy. What’s more, students with all different personality types get accepted at top schools!
The alumni interview, teacher letters of recommendation, and essays will form a picture of your personality for the committee to review. As long as you’re generally kind to others and have no major “red flags,” there is not too much to worry about.
Your Story
The final, and most important piece of the puzzle, is your essays. This is the biggest opportunity for the admissions committee to understand who you are, how you think, and why you do what you do. Essentially, it is their guide to understanding you. Other than the essays, all they have to go off of are your grades, a list of activities, and other people’s opinions of you. The essays are your chance to share your story and bring everything together!
At the end of the day, admissions committees are looking to accept people, not numbers. Top colleges are looking for students who are genuinely excited about learning, are a delight to be around, have unique perspectives, and are probably going to make a positive impact on the world. If you have these, you’re well on your way!
Need help with your essays or extracurricular list? Schedule a free consultation with us today!
Comments