One of the biggest misconceptions about college admissions is that the combination of good grades and test scores along with a rich set of extracurricular activities and community service is the magic mix and guarantees admission to the college and university of your choice. If you believe that this is the formula for success, or that there is any formula at all for that matter, then you should definitely read this article. While it is all too common to hear statements like “He got into ABC because he won the prestigious scholarship in high school” or “She’s part of the national debate team and that’s what clinched the deal for her”, these are simply untrue. The admissions process is not formulaic and is not based on a set of check boxes.

 

Before we start, let us be clear that all of the above are extremely creditworthy and good grades and test scores are absolutely necessary. However, having these alone, even if the numbers are outstanding, is not enough and you will likely get rejected at highly selective colleges. What really makes the difference is what brings it all together and that is what we are going to talk about i.e., how to put together a strong college application.

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Overview

Submitting a strong college application takes a lot of hard work. Responding well to all the questions is just the beginning. An application is a lot about the subtle messages that are contained in your application and these are unfailingly perceived by the admissions officers. It is here that the battle is often won or lost. Most admissions officers who read and evaluate your applications are experienced professionals. They can tell how much time and effort you’ve put into your application and are adept at discerning the true mettle of the applicant. Your narrative has to be carefully constructed to complement and to add colour and character to the quantitative attributes in your application.

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Characteristics of a strong college application

How well do you write your essays, how do you highlight your achievements, are you showing the right level of interest and enthusiasm, how well do you personalize your application for each college and program, how do you demonstrate that you truly understand what they look for in a student – these are the things that make the difference between a good application and a great one. To reiterate, the academic credentials and the extracurriculars are all needed but they need to be polished and presented in the best possible manner as well.

 

This requires time, this requires careful planning and a strategy, in addition to a thorough understanding of how the colleges and the admissions process itself works. Assuming you’ve done your homework – self-reflection, researching colleges, balancing the mix of colleges that meet your needs etc. – the next important step is the hard work of tackling the college applications themselves. This is where many applicants inadvertently shortchange themselves by rushing and end up simply reporting facts and information in the form of raw data. Tying it up neatly into a coherent narrative, one that is logically and aesthetically woven together, is imperative. A thorough review of your completed application is essential as this will help you ensure that your story is presented the right way. 

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Another area that requires extremely careful consideration is your essay or personal statement and making sure that it is powerful, it is compelling, and it stands out from the avalanche of essays that the admissions office looks at. Getting an experienced pair of eyes to look at your application (as a package, not as standalone pieces) is a good idea as well.

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Conclusion

Each component of your application package has a specific purpose. Everything you include in your application must complement one another and collectively enhance the overall strength of your application. Think of it as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle which neatly fit into one another and when put together, present the complete picture of YOU. 

 

In summary, it is imperative to have a proper plan on how to package your application and provide sufficient time to do it well. If managing the application process is done painstakingly and diligently, your application will surely shine. You would be putting your best foot forward and maximizing your chances of being admitted.

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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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