What do Colleges Look for in Applicants?
The college application process can feel overwhelming. When I was a high school student, I constantly wondered: What exactly are colleges looking for in applicants?
I wanted to present the best version of myself in my applications. But I wasn’t sure which parts of my background and experiences would catch the eyes of admissions officers.
In this post, I’ll break down the key factors that go into admissions decisions. So we can understand What do Colleges Look for in Applicants.
Academic Performance: The Foundation of Your College Application
Not surprisingly, your academic record in high school is the biggest component colleges consider.
This includes your overall GPA, grades in core courses, curriculum strength, and standardized test scores.
Let’s look at each element admissions officers focus on:
Your High School GPA
Your GPA (grade point average) summarizes your grades across all courses.
Colleges view your cumulative GPA over four years as an important indicator of your work ethic and ability to manage a full course load.
However, the grades that likely carry the most weight are those earned in college prep or core courses.
This includes English, math, science, social studies, and world languages. Strong performance in these foundational classes signals you’re ready for college-level work.
Shoot for the highest GPA possible, but an upward trend can also make a good impression if you started off slowly. Improving each year shows perseverance.
One main aspect student struggle with when trying to get better grades is procrastination. If you happen to have this bad habit, you can check out this article that will help you a lot.
Strength of Your High School Curriculum
Admissions officers don’t just look at your grades, but also the level of courses you completed.
They want to see you challenged yourself by taking the most rigorous classes available.
This means honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment college courses when offered.
Try to take the toughest curriculum you can handle in core subjects like math, English, science, and social studies.
Standout performance in advanced classes demonstrates you’re an ambitious student who can thrive in a demanding college environment.
It’s better to get a B in an AP course than coast through standard ones.
Standardized Test Scores: SAT, ACT
Most four-year colleges require or recommend SAT or ACT scores. These serve as an additional data point on your academic abilities.
However, their importance has declined recently as more schools move to test-optional policies. Top scores can still help, but average or below average results won’t necessarily ruin your chances.
Check if your target colleges are test-optional. If so, scores should be lower on your priority list, and emphasize the rest of your academic profile.
Essays and Writing Samples: Showcasing Your Personality
While your transcript provides the hard facts, college essays and writing samples reveal the personal side of you. This is your chance to bring your application to life!
Here are the key pieces of writing colleges use to get to know applicants:
The Main Personal Statement
The Common App personal statement prompt asks you to write about a meaningful life experience.
This main college essay offers a glimpse into your personality, values, goals, and what makes you unique.
Use descriptive details and storytelling to showcase your writing skills. Admissions officers are looking for creativity, self-awareness, and introspection.
Supplemental Short Essays
Many colleges also require you to respond to school-specific essay prompts. These supplemental essays let you further express yourself.
You may convey additional info and interests not highlighted in your main essay. It’s another opportunity to connect with the school.
Quality of Your Writing
Regardless of the prompt, colleges care about the overall writing quality. This includes proper grammar, organization, style, and communication skills.
Your essays should flow logically and make your points clearly. Showcase your best writing to demonstrate maturity and thoughtfulness.
Extracurricular Profile: Your Interests and Commitments
While academics come first, colleges also want students who will enrich campus life through diverse interests and passions.
Your extracurricular profile provides clues about your skills, values, and goals beyond the classroom.
Here’s what admissions officers look for:
Personal Interests
Colleges like to see well-rounded applicants engaged in a variety of activities. This demonstrates curiosity to try new things and ability to balance different commitments.
Common pursuits include sports, arts, clubs, volunteer work, summer programs, jobs, and family responsibilities. Anything meaningful to you counts!
Depth of Involvement
At the same time, admissions officers prefer to see deep commitment to one or two extracurriculars rather than shallow involvement in many.
Taking on leadership roles, accomplishing big projects, or sticking with an activity for multiple years shows true dedication.
Alignment With Intended Major
Colleges also like to see extracurriculars that align with your anticipated major or interests. This signals you’re proactively developing relevant skills and experience.
For example, science competitions for a future engineering major, or art portfolio for an intended fine arts degree.
Additional Factors: Recommendations, Interest, Diversity
Beyond the core components above, colleges evaluate several other factors that provide a 360-degree view of applicants.
Recommendation Letters
College’s value getting an outsider’s perspective from the recommendation letters written by your teachers and counselors.
These emphasize positive traits like work ethic, leadership, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity that you’ve demonstrated.
Demonstrated Interest
When you visit campus, engage with reps, or apply early, you signal enthusiasm for that specific school. Some colleges track demonstrated interest.
Show you’ve researched the school and see yourself thriving there beyond just academics.
Diversity Factors
Colleges seek a student body composed of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
Your diversity factors like race, income, first-generation status, and overcoming challenges may be considered.
Character Attributes
Essays, recommendations, and interviews help convey personal qualities like creativity, resilience, ethics, and responsibility valued by colleges.
These signal maturity and your potential contributions to the campus community.
Key Takeaways: Preparing a Strong College Application
With a holistic understanding of what colleges prioritize, you can present the best version of yourself as an applicant. Here are some key tips:
- Aim high academically – Challenge yourself with rigorous courses and shoot for your highest possible GPA. This establishes a strong foundation.
- Showcase your writing – Leverage essays to highlight your personality, background, passions and communication style.
- Demonstrate commitment – Pursue meaningful extracurriculars that reflect your interests and leadership. Quality over quantity.
- Do your research – Learn about each college’s values and show how you’re a great fit through demonstrated interest.
- Be authentic – Let your unique self-shine through. The right colleges will recognize someone passionate who they want in their community.
While every school weighs factors differently, focusing on these priorities will prepare you to submit outstanding applications. Stay confident knowing that your hard work in high school has gotten you ready for college success!
