It’s no mystery that getting into college isn’t easy. The application process itself is designed to weed out those who aren’t serious about dedicating themselves to higher education. However, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about college admissions that can make the process much more intimidating than it needs to be. At Educational Attainment Services, we want to help by providing facts about college admissions you should know before you start applying. Read below to learn more.
Recommendations matter
Most of your applications will require that you have two or three letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, mentors, or counselors. Consider the relationships that you’ve developed with people since you’ve been in high school and narrow it down to who you would like to have write letters for you. Schools will traditionally ask that two letters come from teachers while the third can come from anyone you prefer. Be sure to send a thank-you note to the people who wrote the letters for you, as they’ve taken time out of their busy schedules to help you with your application.
There’s not a “one size fits all” formula
Applying to college takes work. While each application will have similar parts, it’s important to keep in mind that what they’re asking is different. For instance, you might be asked by one school what sets you apart from other applicants. Another might ask what it is that makes you unique. You could take a similar approach to both questions as the questions are very much alike. However, it’s best to take an individualized process for each, so your response doesn’t sound overly rehearsed. Additionally, copying and pasting can be dangerous as you might forget to change the names of schools before you submit.
Grades matter, but don’t stress yourself out
Before we get too deep into the weeds about grades, let’s be clear; your grades do matter when applying to college. That being said, all things are relative. Your school’s availability of honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and magnet classes will set you apart from other applicants who haven’t had these available to them. You don’t need to lose your mind over getting a B in an honors class when you would have easily gotten an A in a lower-level version of the same course. Admissions officers understand the differences between the two. They also spend time each year reviewing profiles of high schools to understand factors like average GPA, graduation rates, and other details about the student body.
Tell a story with your essay
When schools ask for essay responses, they’re not looking to get term papers that are loaded with facts. Admissions officers are people, too, and they want to read something compelling. Use your essay as a chance to tell a story about yourself rather than listing the reasons you’ll be successful in college. Write about a time where you overcame adversity and how you improved because of it or an event that made you want to choose a particular career path. Be creative with your essay to keep the person’s attention reading it.
It’s best to start early
Applying for college takes time. You’ll need to gather some items to provide all the required information on your applications so you can get started and come back to them when you have them. It’s crucial that you don’t put off your applications until you have everything you need as you approach the deadline. Give yourself a chance to take your time to get everything right and come back to it if needed. The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be in the end.
Contact us for more
You don’t have to go through the admissions process on your own. Reach out to us at Educational Attainment Services today to learn more facts about college admissions, so you’re prepared when the time comes. Schedule an appointment by calling 800-706-4134 or send a message using our online contact form.
