Getting Into the College of Your Choice

By Gary L. Dietrich, CCPS

WOW! A 1540 on your SAT last year. Four AP courses, all with fives. Valedictorian. Surely you're guaranteed the college of your choice. Not necessarily. In 2002, the University of Pennsylvania rejected 71 percent of its undergraduate applicants, including 322 high school valedictorians. Today, many students with stellar test scores and high honors are passed over in favor of students who exhibit excellence beyond the classroom, students with unique experience, leadership, or attributes. So how can you increase your chances of being admitted to the college of your choice?

Begin by analyzing why you want to go to college, why you want a particular college, and why you've decided on a particular field of study. Hopefully, it's because it suits your personality, aptitude, and ability. Next, select schools that match your criteria. Don't narrow your options to just a single school as you may be disappointed if the college rejects you or offers insufficient financial aid.

So now that you've chosen your schools, how can you become the student with the acceptance letter? Begin with a basic strategy:

Research, Research, Research. Research your choice colleges. Learn from guidance counselors, the internet (study the college's website; investigate sites like www.collegeconfidential.com ), books (check out college dictionaries, admission books, and more), and current students. Research your competition, other applicants. Research yourself. Know your strengths and accomplishments and how to articulate them to others.

Put yourself in the position of the college. Colleges want the highest quality students who will yield the most diversified student body. Research what type of student the college wants. Within that framework, how are you different from the thousands of other applicants? Highlight your exceptionalities.

Do you stand out academically? Do your SAT scores, class rank, and high school course load surpass that of the average student admitted to your choice college? Does the college look favorably on honors, AP, International Baccalaureate, or college classes? Does the college require SAT II test scores? What is the average GPA of incoming freshman? How does the college view achievements? Do most applicants participate in science fairs? To keep up, you should also, and if you win a prize, even better. Do you participate in an internship in an area of academic interest? Do you demonstrate academic passion?

Do you excel at sports, music, or another activity? Depending on the college and your ability, excelling at a non-academic activity may give you the edge over other applicants-but the college needs to be aware of your ability. Approach coaches of highly competitive sports colleges by the freshman year of high school, because these coaches are looking years ahead for new students to replace existing positions as current students graduate.

For other activities, your approach need not be as early, but contact still should be made to show your interest and ability. If the person in charge wants you, you have positioned yourself ahead of other applicants.

What other interests do you have? Do you help with the school yearbook, serve on student council, participate in community service, have artistic talent, or perhaps have a small business? Because most students are not in a position to do everything, colleges consider quality and depth of involvement, rather than quantity. Therefore, whatever you do outside of academics, do it enthusiastically. Remember colleges desire a well-rounded student body, not necessarily well-rounded students.

Show interest in the college. Make your interest in the college known to them. Be on the college's mailing list. Tour the college and ask pertinent questions. Introduce yourself to the department heads, professors, admissions personnel, coaches, and others who will be guiding you. Do not be in a hurry to leave. Linger afterward. Send thank you cards. Repetition is the mother of retention. If your name keeps coming across their desk in a favorable way, they may just begin to recognize and even like you.

Put it in writing. Read books devoted to the admissions essay, but remember that most likely your competition-- the thousands of other applicants--has read the same information. Therefore, take the books' suggestions and then write a flawless essay that comes alive with your passion and personality. Tell your story in such a way that will distinguish you to the admissions department and make you a desirable asset to the student body. As you apply to several colleges, write an essay specifically for each college so that your interest in their college shines through.

Get letters of recommendation. Choose teachers who will write articulate letters of recommendation about you as a student and a person, and provide the teachers with any information necessary to help them remember relevant details and events they may want to include.

Be financially prepared. Imagine the disappointment of being accepted to the college of your dreams and then realizing you are financially unable to go. Many strategies-savings plans, strategic placement of assets, tax strategies, specific strategies for small business owners, need-based financial aid, and more, all implemented at the right time, can help you be financially prepared.

By planning ahead, researching your colleges, diligently studying, and presenting yourself in an accurate and favorable manner, you will have done much to get into the college of your choice-by ultimately being the choice of the college.

Gary Dietrich is a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) and Financial Advisor with Adams & Associates, a financial advisory firm. He received the CCPS designation through the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP) in 2003. The NICCP requires that all members meet certain ethical, professional, and educational requirements, including yearly continuing education. Securities offered through Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc. Member NASD/SIPC.

This article appeared in the August/September 2005 issue of Parents' Source.

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