How to Get Into a Great College

By Peter M. Jones

Beginning the college process can be a daunting task because there is no fixed formula for getting into college and moreover, whatever combination of courses one studied at high school makes no difference in the success rate of getting admission to your dream school. Grades, SAT/ACT scores, and class rank are certainly looked into, but while doing well in all three may be enough to get you into some schools, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get into all your choices. In fact, even students with perfect SAT scores and straight A's are sometimes denied admission by some of the more elite colleges and universities. Here are some tips that will help you navigate the admissions process and succeed in your application.

You must know that selective colleges have more qualified applicants than their limit. This is where extracurricular activities come into play. In fact, extracurricular activities can often tilt the decision in your favor when compared to other students with equivalent grades/test scores but without much in the way of activities because they demonstrate your motivation and time-management skills. You should remember to inform college if pursuing academics and an after-school job or any other extenuating circumstances. According to The Princeton Review, highly selective schools generally place emphasis than average on a good essay. The essay questions on college applications are usually very open-ended, so it is prudent to talk about your experience or aspect of you or your life that was particularly meaningful.

Awards or other recognitions and achievements can weigh into your application's consideration. Be sure to inform them if you have achieved any because good colleges and universities look for leaders and achievers and not just academic performers.

Recommendations of your teachers and counselors do matter. Get a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor who thinks you're brilliant and include it with your application packet. Similarly, if a family member went to your college of choice, you may receive (not necessarily) some preferential consideration in admissions and this could count even more if more than one family member attended the college.

Most importantly, start planning early to get into the schools you want. Do your research, collect updated information on the most sought-after colleges and universities and their admission criteria in advance. There are many online resource guides (like http://www.allaboutuni.com/ ) that assists high school students in selecting a college.

Peter M. Jones is a freelance writer who writes for websites, print media and TV serials. He can be contacted at http://www.techmagnate.com