How to Get Accepted Into the College of Your Dreams

College is a time for you to discover who you are.

It’s an opportunity to explore something you’re passionate about! Whether it’s sports, science, writing, or music – there’s a college waiting for someone with your talent.

However, admission officers reject thousands of students every year—even the ones who have good grades. So, what do you need to do to get into college after high school? It’s all about having a plan covering all of your bases to boost your chances of acceptance.

Read on for the best tips on how to get into your dream college.

Best Academic Profile for Admissions

First things first, what does your academic profile look like? When applying to college, you must make wise decisions about each component of your academic profile. That means considering your grades, extracurriculars, volunteer experience, and beyond.

The first thing you should know is that during college admissions, counselors are going to check out the school that you had gone to. For example, if you were a student from a leading international British school in Singapore, your admission credentials would be far superior when compared to someone that has gone to a regular public school. Colleges want to create a superior pool of students that are highly educated and come with a certain background.

A strong academic index doesn’t guarantee admission. But a weak one will undoubtedly result in rejection.

The primary focus for admissions counselors is academic excellence and potential. These are the most critical factors in considering any applicant. Together they make up your “academic profile” or “academic index.”

Your academic index will become your main ‘calling card. Think of it as a resume. Your profile identifies you throughout the application process.

The profile defines who you are and what you can (and might) offer to a college. For this reason, applicants must take care when completing their academic profiles.

Do you know how to calculate your real-time GPA? High school GPA scales work differently than other programs, so it’s worth taking a moment to learn.

Your GPA and SAT/ACT scores are critical. However, they do not stand alone in an evaluation.

Grade Patterns

Colleges look for patterns in your educational career. Patterns in grades, courses, standardized test scores, curriculum choices, activities, and honors/awards.

Grades and test scores are undoubtedly critical factors for admissions officers. But colleges also seek to determine your potential to successfully complete your chosen course of study.

Admissions counselors look at the difficulty level of courses taken (i.e., honors, AP, IB). Next, the breadth of curriculum (i.e., subjects offered). They also consider academic rigor (i.e., grading scale—easy A’s aren’t impressive) and grades earned (B’s vs. C’s).

Finally, they’ll look for trends in performance with consideration given to year-to-year improvement or decline. Lastly, another part of learning how to get into college after high school is picking the right college.

How do You Fit in?

Once your academic profile has been established, admissions counselors will consider how it fits their university’s “typical” students. In other words, what is your competitive strength? This may be determined by how many students apply and are accepted each year and previous years’ acceptance rates.

For example, let’s say only a handful of students are accepted from an applicant pool of thousands. Chances are high that their academic profiles were firm compared to others applying to the school.

How can you give yourself a competitive edge? Aim for institutions where your academic potential will truly stand out! Look for institutions where your academic profile is similar to the “typical” accepted student.

In other words, seek out institutions that are a good “fit” for you based on your major of choice and GPA/test scores. Next, learn how to prepare for a college interview the right way. That way, when you are face to face with the admissions officer, you’ll know exactly what to say.

Highly Selective School Tips

Suppose you have stellar SATs and grades but have chosen a nontraditional major. In that case, it may be challenging to get into a highly selective school.

Also, keep in mind that some colleges have stricter standards than others. You might want to avoid applying to schools you don’t think you’ll qualify for.

Colleges also vary in selectivity when it comes to specific majors. This information can typically be found online by visiting the college website or through a college search tool.

Rotary Youth Exchange

Have you checked out the Rotary Youth Exchange yet? It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity that lets high school students worldwide live with another family for a year abroad. Being a part of the club can definitely increase your chances of getting into college-even your dream college.

How does the program work?

Students from all over the world study together, learn new languages and cultures, and grow as people. The best part? You can find an exchange opportunity no matter where you live!

This program is excellent for students who want to travel outside their country of origin or those looking for a more affordable college experience. Looking to escape judgemental classmates at home? The exchange might be the right choice for you!

Not only does this program give you access to international education, but it also helps you develop new social circles. Not to mention you’ll be creating unforgettable memories.

You can prepare for acceptance by learning the best tips for traveling abroad. Finally, be sure to include your experiences with the Rotary Youth Exchange on your academic profile.

Play an Instrument

Do you play an instrument? If not, now would be a great time to start learning. Music can be applied to many other subjects and will help you excel.

Most students do not know that music theory actually teaches them how to read better. The instrument actually makes it easier for you to comprehend any academic material]outside of your major.

Music also helps with critical thinking. As a musician, you need to read between the lines and find what is said through lyrics or any musical notation. This skill will help your academic performance in any subject.

One more great benefit of learning an instrument is that it gives a chance to meet new people and open up communication skills. You might not believe it, but these skills are beneficial once you start at your dream college.

Just think about it… Have you ever tried talking yourself out of trouble? Negotiating certainly helps!

College coaches look for students who can adapt and try new things. So, don’t be shy about adding your musical talents to your academic profile. By including this on your college profile, you can really impress coaches and admissions officers at top-notch universities around the world!

Start a UNICEF Club

Next, you can make significant changes globally and impress college advisors when you start a UNICEF club. If you’re a high school student and you want to help those in need, you should definitely give it a try. Your academic profile will glisten, and you’ll be making a real difference.

What is UNICEF?

UNICEF is a United Nations organization promoting children’s rights and their well-being all over the world. They fight for these rights by providing humanitarian support, improving education and health services, supplying vaccines, and raising awareness among governments.

How does this club work?

It’s easy! You just have to invite other students to your school because it can’t be done alone. After that, you’ll meet once a week to talk about what kind of activities would make the most significant impact on the lives of children around the world.

Your club might help with collecting old clothes or toys and sending them overseas. UNICEF also organizes fundraisers to buy much-needed equipment in developing countries. You’ll also be working with local agencies like UNICEF (if one) in your city.

You’ll learn a lot about the world and make a real difference with your club! College admissions officers LOVE students who go out of their way to positively impact their schools and communities. And it’s not only because they want good citizens for the future.

Colleges want applicants ready to explore new cultures and ideas. By starting a UNICEF club, not only do you get real-world experience, but also excellent life skills that can be useful after attending your dream college too!

Help a Political Candidate

Moving on, you can also bolster your academic profile by helping with a political campaign. If you’re interested in politics, supporting a local candidate may really distinguish your application. You’ll develop essential skills in addition to establishing relationships in your area and around the world. (Another fantastic place to get a letter of recommendation!)

We suggest seeking out a candidate you admire. Then, using your network of family and friends, search for opportunities to meet this person and volunteer with them (and only them). Find something about the candidate’s work that appeals to you personally.

Write a Touching Admissions Essay

Next, increase your chances of acceptance by writing a compelling admissions essay. You’ll be telling a story about yourself that will prove why you deserve to be accepted into the college of your dreams.

Need a little inspiration? We suggest reading famous admissions essays. It’s a great way to get a new perspective on things.

A great example is William Fitzsimmons’ Harvard Essay. It was so compelling that he gained admission to Harvard and eventually became the Dean of admissions!

Still not sure what to write about? No worries. Most college application essays revolve around 4 topics.

The 4 topics are; overcoming adversity, demonstrating leadership abilities, exploring new activities or interests, and sharing who you are as a person with the rest of the world. Focus on these areas, and your essay will shine!

Fill Applications Out the Best Way

Finally, you’ll want to learn how to fill out the college applications in a winning matter. Colleges are looking for passionate, determined, and ready to take on any challenge that they throw at them. So how can you prove all of these things in just a couple of pages?

Start by making a list. You’ve got the internet, use it! If your mind goes blank when starting applications (which can be intimidating), make yourself a step-by-step list of what you have to do. It’ll take the stress off, letting you focus on each task individually rather than watching the clock tick while imagining your life without a good college.

Next, take your time. There’s no rush! Don’t feel pressured because you think other people are doing it better or faster- the truth is that nobody knows what they’re doing when it comes to applications.

No matter how long or short yours are, just be sure to include all of the necessary components- because that’s what colleges want to see!

Application Reviews

Did you finish your essay? Now it’s time to start proofreading it. You’d be amazed at how many errors make their way into applications every year, especially on spell check!

Check over every little detail of your application because you don’t want to be the person caught slipping. Remember to use your resources.

Don’t forget about your friends, family, or even teachers! They want you to succeed just as much as you do. Ask them for assistance if needed- they have probably filled out applications before, so they know what to expect.

Go to Your Dream College

Getting into college is no easy task. Competition for admissions has never been higher, and acceptance rates are lower than ever before. However, if you prepare well ahead of time, you can get into your dream college!

Start reviewing your academic profile today. Finally, begin writing down ideas for your admissions essay. The sooner you start drafting a rough copy, the closer you’ll be to having a competitive edge over other applicants.

Do you want to brainstorm more ways to make your future bright? Check out the rest of this site.