Is your child planning to go to college? While the world of college admission is a competitive one, it’s not impossible to make the cut. The average college acceptance rate in the US is well over 60%.
Most four-year schools accept more students than they turn away, though some can be a bit picky. Not only do these choosier schools look at high school grades and test scores, but they require letters of recommendation.
No matter what school your child applies to, they’ll need to write an essay and score high on their SATs and ACTs. Some colleges consider a potential student’s attitude and personality traits as well.
Want to learn more about the college admissions process? Check out this guide for everything your child will need to know.
Courses and Grades
The number one thing that college admissions look at is high school grades. Colleges will ask for your student’s transcripts to see how they performed in classes. If their GPA doesn’t meet the basic prerequisites for entry, they could be turned away.
A college admissions counselor will also take the difficulty of your student’s classes into account. If they’re enrolled in challenging AP courses in high school, the student will be looked upon more favorably even if their grades are lower.
If they take AP courses and excel at them, it shows schools that your student is ready to take on the college workload.
Test Scores
Some schools don’t require test scores. They’ll look at them if your child takes them, but they don’t put a lot of weight on them.
However, a lot of colleges do require applicants to submit their ACT or SAT test results. The good news is that there are tons of study materials online that your student can take advantage of.
They can download free study guides and take practice tests online. Doing so will give them a good idea of what they’re going to struggle with on the actual test so they can devote extra study time to it.
Recommendation Letters
Choosy universities may ask that your student turn in three letters of recommendation. While you can put in a good word for your child, these letters have to come from teachers or counselors.
The recommendation letters must include specific information such as the child’s attitude in the classroom, how they challenge themselves, and how they go about completing complex projects.
Choose the Right People
Since letters of recommendation must include specific information, your child should be picky about who they choose to write them. They need to come from a teacher that knows them well.
Some schools require that one of their recommendation letters come from a school counselor. If your child doesn’t know their school counselors well enough to request a letter, they can make an appointment to introduce themselves and change that.
If your student has a part-time job, their supervisors and managers can write them a letter of recommendation. In fact, they tend to write the best ones.
Provide a Resume
Just because teachers and managers know your child well enough to write a letter doesn’t mean they can name all their accomplishments off the top of their head. Your student may hold an exclusive award that their teachers know nothing about.
That’s why it’s a good idea for them to supply the people writing their letters with a copy of their resume. It will give the writers a small road map that they can follow.
If your student doesn’t have a resume quite yet, that’s okay. They can write up a brag sheet instead. It should include a list of courses they’ve taken and the grade they received, two of their best attributes (and how they apply them in the classroom), their work experience, and any extracurriculars they’ve taken part in.
Ask in Person
Your child should always approach someone in person to find out if they would be interested in writing them a letter of recommendation. It’s polite and it will make your child feel more confident when they send their official request.
In most cases, teachers will be more than happy to write a letter because they’re used to doing so. Still, they may have a lot on their plate. That’s why it’s good to ask.
Send an Official Request
Once someone confirms that they can write a recommendation letter, it’s time for your student to submit an official request via email.
It should include a description of the program your child is applying for, a due date for the letter, any formatting information, and their resume/brag sheet. If your student decides to submit their official request via snail mail, they should provide a pre-addressed and stamped envelope for the writer’s convenience.
Send a Thank You Card
Your student doesn’t have to send a thank you card to every person who writes them a letter of recommendation, but it’s nice to do so.
They should also update the recommendation writers once they start receiving acceptance letters in the mail.
College Admission Essay
Most colleges ask students to turn in an admission essay along with their application. Some schools will provide prompts, and others ask for a general statement of intent.
When colleges are looking over a student’s essay, they aren’t only evaluating their writing skills. They’re trying to spot something that makes the applicant stand out.
If your student turns in a generic essay filled with responses that they feel the admissions team wants to hear, it will reflect poorly on them. They should use the essay to show off their unique personality.
Extracurricular Activities
Colleges love seeing extracurricular activities on a person’s application. Not all activities stand out to administrators, however.
They’re looking for leadership activities, part-time jobs, academic clubs, and creative pursuits. Volunteer work is a plus as well.
Leadership Activities
Students with leadership experience tend to make huge waves once they arrive on campus. They’re dedicated to impacting the community as a whole.
A few examples of leadership activities are Eagle Scouts, being an editor for the school newspaper, or holding a position on the student council.
Part-Time Jobs
Having a part-time job demonstrates a college applicant’s heightened sense of responsibility, a trait most colleges consider during selection. Balancing a job and classes takes a lot of time management skills. If your child can handle that, it shows they can juggle a college workload.
Having a part-time job will also show school administrators that your student can thrive in environments that aren’t the classroom. They’ve learned valuable skills that they can bring to a college campus.
Academic Clubs
Being in a sports club can help your student show that they’re a born leader. Sports aren’t everything, however. Academics are just as important.
Being part of the debate team or school chess club tells a school that your child has a strong interest in learning. Academic clubs often allow a student to flex their teamwork skills as well.
Creative Pursuits
Colleges like having students that can think and act in creative ways. If your student has an interest in acting, sculpting, drawing, painting, or music, encourage them to pursue it.
Being in clubs like band and dance takes a lot of collaboration and dedication. Both of these traits are crucial for college success.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer work sends the message that your student is a compassionate person who cares about the world around them. It shows their commitment to making their neighborhood a better place to live.
Colleges want students to bring this kind of energy to their campus. They need people that want to make a difference in more ways than academics.
Showing Interest
It’s one thing to say that you want to attend college. It’s another to pursue it successfully.
Your student needs to be in communication with the school administration. Some colleges interview potential students.
One of the things that they look for during the interview is enthusiasm. Your child should be engaged and ask questions.
Personality Traits
Colleges value students who embody certain personality traits. They like persistent individuals that show curiosity.
They also want compassionate and open-minded individuals with a high level of cultural intelligence.
Persistence
Going to college involves taking on new challenges and persisting until you reach your goals. That’s why even colleges with the highest acceptance rates don’t accept those that have the tendency to give up on something before they begin.
One way your child can show persistence is by sticking with a tough class even though they can’t seem to get the hang of the subject matter.
Curiosity
Your student should never be afraid of asking questions. It displays a high level of curiosity.
By asking questions, your child will come across as more engaged. It shows that they have some enthusiasm for learning more about the world. They’re willing to explore subjects outside of their realm of interest.
Compassion
Compassionate individuals don’t only show empathy for others. They also listen to their struggles and come up with ways to help them.
Those with good compassion skills are team players who strive to help their communities become better places for everyone.
Again, the best way that your child can show compassion for others is by filling their resume with volunteer work.
Risk-Taking
Your child doesn’t have to take up rock climbing and bungee jumping to prove that they’re a risk taker. Taking risks means going out of your comfort zone.
For example, let’s say that your child has an interest in theater, but they’re also terrified of public speaking. Branching out by getting a part in a school play shows that they’re resilient. They’re not going to let their fear get in the way of doing something they want.
Open-Mindedness
When your child goes to school, they’re going to interact with people of all different backgrounds. Each one of these individuals is going to have different viewpoints on things.
Your child must be open-minded enough to hear these people out and take their opinion into account without arguing with them.
Cultural Intelligence
People who have a high level of cultural intelligence show an interest in learning with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. They’re concerned about global issues.
Students with cultural intelligence may take strides to learn other languages or express a desire to study abroad.
Team Player
Your child will work on several group projects during their school career. They’ll also have to collaborate with faculty members to ensure they stay on the path toward graduation.
Being a team player can help them take the lead in projects and work with their fellow students. That’s why colleges value candidates that have a background in playing sports.
Class Rank
Class rank is a measure of how your child’s grades compare to the other students in their high school. This is something that colleges cared about in the past, but times have changed.
Many private high schools have all but eliminated class rank, so many colleges have stopped considering it. That doesn’t mean it won’t pop up.
Understanding the College Admission Process
As you can see, the college admission process can be a bit complicated. Admissions get a ton of applications every day, and while the competition isn’t as fierce as some would make you think, your child can still be rejected.
To increase their chances, they’ll need to study for their SAT, pursue extracurricular activities, and most importantly of all, take an interest. There’s nothing that colleges love more than enthusiasm.
For more college enrollment tips and tricks, visit the education section of our blog.
