Competition for College Admission

Are you ready to really start thinking of college? You’re not alone. There are many high school students who want to go to college when they graduate from high school. Or maybe you are getting ready to graduate very soon and you must now think seriously about college. Every year there are a number of talented high school seniors who start applying to colleges here in the United States. The number of student who applies to college is constantly on the rise each year. As the number rises it also means that students will be fighting for a position in those top colleges but then again there are so many good colleges here that any student that desires to go to college can. There are also thousands of international students who apply each year to attend colleges here in the United States, bringing with them the wonders of other cultures and history to share.

Today there are thousands of colleges across the United States, there are also those colleges that are so highly desired by students, and these schools just can not accept everyone that will apply to their college. Many top schools will turn away tens of thousands of students every year because there just is not enough room for them. You may have a great GPA and test scores and still be turned down by the college and at the same time someone with a lower GPA and test scores is accepted. Your grades and test scores are not all that determines what a college wants from a student, there are many other qualities that colleges are looking for today. That is why it is very important that you as a student apply to more then just the school you wish to go to, you should apply at 3 or more colleges that meet your goals and desires.

Where do the colleges stand?

Colleges today look at the competition among students applying to their college very seriously. Over the last few years colleges have started looking for more then just someone that is a student. Many colleges are looking for well rounded student that have good grades and test scores but who also are involved in their school and community.

Some colleges are so sought after by students that the students pay a premium to attend those colleges, it may be the cost of the college and that it is so hard to get into those colleges, these schools my pay for the student they want to fly there and look at the school or they may offer full scholarships to some but most students are not within the top 1 percent.

While there are colleges out there that offer students great educations they are not considered one of the top schools. These same schools can offer students a great education and usually they will cost much less then a top school. Students still have to compete to attend many of these colleges but if you meet there standards and other requirements you will receive a good education.

What You Should Do:

If your desire is to attend one of the top schools, then you should know that you will have to work very hard throughout your high school years to get top GPA’s and test scores. Colleges will look carefully at your high school transcripts to see what your GPA is to them. They are not looking for students who take only easy classes but students that take classes that tax the mind, they will look to see how many AP classes you have taken. Then they will look at your SAT or Act and other test you may have taken to see what your scores are, most of your top colleges want to see high scores on all test. The next thing colleges look at is your essay where they can see who and what you are and what you as a student can do for them. Now don’t forget that they are looking for more, now is the time to get involved in school activities and volunteer activities. I don’t mean for a day or a week, they are looking for someone that is committed to the long term.

Even if you do everything that a college wants and you have the grades and have done volunteer work and wrote a great essay, remember you can still be turned down by them. So don’t only apply to one college, be prepared and apply to 3 or more colleges you would like to attend.

There are many other things you can do to present yourself to a college so talk to your consultant and school counselor about any ideas they may have and the help they can provide you.