As the year draws to a close, we look back at the year gone by even as we are busy making plans for the coming year. If you are a student in high school, this obviously involves plans regarding college and it is never too early to start planning.

 

We have compiled a dozen of our favorite posts, small snippets of advice that we advocate to college applicants and all college-bound students. Please bear in mind that these are random snippets covering different aspects of the college application process and are listed here in no particular order.

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• Academic ability combined with imagination, vitality, concern for others, and capacity for growth... These are the things that colleges look for, while evaluating an applicant.

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• Your academic record is seen as a reflection of your academic ability and is by far the most important criterion for admission.

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• Don’t approach the different sections of your application as independent components. View each section as a piece of a jigsaw puzzle that defines you and continually strive to provide a comprehensive picture.

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• More than the brand name or reputation of a college, it is the skills and experience you acquire that make you successful in life. Choose a college that allows you to acquire and hone these qualities.

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• College Fitment is a 2-way street; Colleges want to know why you are great, but they also want to know why you are great for them.

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• A single recommendation letter that says the right things is superior to multiple average ones. Focus on quality over quantity.

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• Most essays are clear, concise, and crafted with care. What make a college essay stand out is its authenticity and a compelling narrative.

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• Outside of academics, colleges seek to understand what you’ve done but are more interested in your ability to reflect on what you’ve done and what it means to you.

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• During interviews, talk about your interests, your plans for college and your future, but let it be an open and engaging conversation rather than an enactment of a script.

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• The admissions process at elite institutions is like a lottery and often boils down to making minute distinctions among an extraordinarily talented bunch of applicants.

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• When you receive offer letters from multiple colleges, let your final decision be based on learning and growth opportunities. Social Fit and Financial Fit can fight for #2 & #3, but #1 is always Academic Fit.

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• College is a new phase of your life and can sometimes be overwhelming. Seek help from others, from those who’ve been there. Don’t be too proud to ask for advice.

 

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... and one for the parents making it a baker’s dozen.

 

• As a parent, your role is not always to answer your child’s questions but to help them find the answers. In other words, help your child make good decisions but don’t decide for them.

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College & Me is a series of articles featuring useful information about College Admissions for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in US colleges.

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