Countdown to College – Admissions Tips

The 'hot' college that everyone in your class wants to go to will be harder to get accepted. Too many applicants from one school can cut down your chances. If there's a school you want to go to, keep your mouth shut!
July 1, 2016
post-thumb

Admissions Tips – Some New and Old Reminders

The tips below are excerpts from Countdown to College: 21 ‘To Do’ Lists for High School by Valerie Pierce (Reprint by permission from the author.) Much has changed since she first published her suggestions but many of her tips are still practical reminders for all college bound students and their parents.

College admissions is more competitive than ever before.  So one theme that is vital to remember is to demonstrate your sincere interest in the school.  Interact and follow the schools you are interested in through each social media platform that the school supports.  Most schools have Twitter, Facebook and even SnapChat accounts.  Follow each and they will likely know it.

And remember these great tips!

College 101 clip copy

The ‘hot’ college that everyone in your class wants to go to will be harder to get accepted. Too many applicants from one school can cut down your chances. If there’s a school you want to go to, keep your mouth shut!


Colleges give points for geographical diversity (state and rural/urban), being related to an alumni, and ethnicity. Consider schools in various locations and don’t forget schools family members attended.

 If you don’t need financial aid—let ’em know. If the school is short on funds or loaded with applicants who need aid, it may help.


Wanna let the colleges know you’re really interested? Ask for an interview with the admissions officer and talk to the professors in your desired major. You’ll stand out as an applicant.


A college is more likely to accept you if your major is in an ‘under-enrolled’ area. Ask the admissions officer how your choice of major might affect your chances.


Stand out! Colleges give extra points for talent and athletic ability. Let ’em know what you can do.


Don’t let your parents do it! YOU make the phone calls to the college for information. You may not be as polished but your enthusiasm and interest count more.

 Don’t just apply to ‘reach’ schools. Include at least one ‘safety’ school in the bunch. You don’t want to end up with 6 rejections and no place to go.


Market yourself! If you do something special—art, photography, music, etc.—send a sample of your work.
Feel like the ‘real’ you can’t be presented in a common application? Submit added information or explanations.
Call every school you’ve applied to and make sure your application has been received and is complete. If anything is missing, get it to them pronto!


Send thank you note after interviews, visits or if an admissions officer has been extremely helpful. You’ll get your name in front of them again.

 Didn’t make the ‘cut’ at the college of your choice? Find out what community college that school uses as its ‘feeder’ school. Do your 2 year core curriculum there and you’ll be able to transfer. It’s a great way to save money, too.


Apply Early Decision only to your first choice school—applying ED is like adding 100 points to your SAT score.


If you know alumni from the college—a relative, employer, volunteer supervisor—ask them to write a letter of recommendation for you.

Related Posts

post-thumb

Humor – Graduation Day

The twelfth comic in the College Parents of America Humor series is now available on collegeparents.org. This comic, made in a collaborative act between College Parents of America and Hector Curriel, is not truly part of the humor series, but instead extends our warmest congrats to students and parents of the class of 2014. 
post-thumb

Parents: Protect Your Finances 2021

Making Good Co-signing Decisions
post-thumb

How Parents Can Help Make College Move-In Day A Success

Moving your student to college is often filled with stress, sweat and emotion.  So being prepared is vital to making the most of this moment and leaving your student on campus both confident and secure.
post-thumb

Student Mental Wellness Needs (II) – Trends & Data

Did you know that 75% of all mental health conditions begin by age 24? That’s why the college years are so critical for families to be prepared to understand and speak about mental health issues.