How to Get Into a Great College

As more and more high school seniors apply for college admission every year, getting into the top school of your choice is becoming increasingly difficult. SAT scores, GPA and extracurriculars are often just a small part of what admissions officers look for in successful applicants. Indefinable qualities like personality and commitment often count nearly as much. Here are some tips that'll help you navigate the admissions process and succeed in your application.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Boost your SAT or ACT scores by taking a prep course or studying guidebooks. Courses from companies like Kaplan and The Princeton Review are expensive, but they guarantee improvements in your score.

2. Work on boosting your GPA before your senior year of high school. Many students ignore the college application process until it's too late. Help yourself out by committing to academic success throughout high school, not just at the end.

3. Take as many Honors and AP courses as you can. Colleges like to see that you're making the most of your school's resources, however limited or expansive they may be. These also prepare you for the more difficult college coursework to come.

4. Write a strong essay for your application. Avoid cliché and superficiality when you're writing. Instead be honest about your interests and convey a sense of passion about the things you love to do.

5. Pursue a small number of extracurricular activities that really matter to you, instead of a large number of ones that don't. Great colleges love applicants who know what they want from life and are committed to achieving it, whatever this goal may be.

6. Apply to a variety of top schools. Even valedictorians with perfect test scores get rejected from time to time, so spread your applications out to increase your chance of getting into a great school.

7. Remember that not all great schools are a great fit for every student. If you don't want to be in a high-pressure environment, maybe attending an Ivy League college isn't for you. Stay true to yourself during the application process.

Resources

• Check out the College Board's page for info on the SAT and more.

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