HOW TO BECOME THE STUDENTCOLLEGES WANT

Cindy Turner, MA, NCC Director of College Counseling

The Davidson Center

College planning can be…a difficult, stressful, worrisome, and rushed process aimed at winning a prize.

College planning should be…a long-term, thoughtful, intentional journey of self-discovery aimed at a satisfying college experience and lifelong fulfillment.

So how does this happen?

College Planning Guidelines

• Start early.• Find something to make you shine.• Work hard at everything you do.• Aim for realistic colleges.• Be genuine.• Be passionate.

The college application is a three-year process:

9th, 10th, and 11th grades will tell your story.

The success of your college application process depends mainly on what you are doing in high

school right now.

So what should you be doing?

1. Demonstrate academic ability.Why?

This is always the most important part of the application.

• GRADES– GPA is cumulative from 9th grade.– Weighted vs. unweighted– Importance of core classes

• CURRICULUM– AP/IB/Honors/Regular– Importance of senior schedule– 4 years of the 4 cores– Foreign languages– Electives

(continued)

• TEST SCORES-ACT or SAT: Which test is better for you?-When should you take it/them? -How should you prepare? -What do the scores really mean?-SAT subject tests?

2. Demonstrate intellectual curiosity. Why?

• Challenge yourself with difficult classes.• Define your academic interests.– What do you love learning about?

• Explore career interests through activities.• Pursue academic interest outside the

classroom (clubs, projects, events, etc).• Go beyond what teachers require of you.• Engage in research.

3. Demonstrate leadership. Why?

• Plan your activities with an eye toward leadership in 11th and 12th grades (earlier, if possible).

• Show leadership in class projects.• Don’t limit yourself to traditional “teenager”

positions. Think outside the box! • Seek out leadership training opportunities

(camps, classes, etc).

4. Demonstrate initiative. Why?

• Within existing organizations, make improvements, initiate projects, and solve problems.

• Start something new!– Look around you (at school or in the community). – What needs do you see? – How can you meet those needs? – Develop a plan, and try to get it off ground by 11th grade.

5. Demonstrate dedication. Why?

• Aim for a few activities with 3-4 years of involvement, not dozens of clubs with little involvement (depth, not breadth).

• If you have “required community service hours,” do as many as possible in one place.

• Develop relationships in places where you work or volunteer. This only happens over time.

• Whatever you do, make an IMPACT.

6. Demonstrate responsibility. Why?

• When choosing activities, consider the responsibilities you might be given.

• Formal employment is an excellent way to demonstrate responsibility.

• Also consider long-term volunteer positions.

7. Do something different! Why?

• Develop an unusual talent.• Pursue an unusual interest.• Engage in an activity in a surprising way.• Achieve a highly impressive level of

involvement in your interest area.• Find something that makes you stand out!

What do Colleges Want?

• Academic ability• Intellectual curiosity• Leadership• Initiative• Dedication• Responsibility • Unique qualities• PASSION!

Your college application can easily show all these qualities if you are taking the right steps during your first three years of high school.

How will the application show off these qualities?

Admission Factors(loosely in order of importance)

• Rigorous curriculum• Strong grades with an upward trend• Test scores that are consistent with grades• Passionate involvement in a few activities• Well-written and personal essays• Recommendations suggesting intellectual

curiosity• Something that makes you stand out• Demonstrated interest in the college (sometimes)

Write a story now that you will be proud to tell

colleges later.