Tips For Your Student to Increase Their Odds of Acceptance at Competitive Colleges
By Huntington Learning Center
- Submit the SAT or ACT score. Because high school grading systems (and GPAs) can vary by school, standardized test scores can provide college admissions officers with a more objective metric for consideration. Colleges are also aware of grade inflation that exists at the high school level, and a standardized test score can show an admissions office that a student is ready for the college-level workload. Many schools are now requiring students to submit an SAT or ACT score with their application.
- High SAT/ACT scores, strong grades and challenging classes are important. At the top of the list of admission criteria for competitive colleges is academic performance. The top factors for admission decisions are test scores (SAT or ACT), overall high school GPA, grades in college preparatory classes, and strength of curriculum (class rigor). A high SAT or ACT score can help a student stand out amongst many applicants, and getting that test score doesn’t happen overnight. Preparation is key when taking the SAT or ACT, and a test prep program with Huntington can help improve your student’s test score.
- Taking challenging classes is expected. There’s no getting around it: competitive colleges want to see rigor of high school curriculum. College admissions competition is fierce, and students will be up against other applicants who also have taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and honors classes. This doesn’t mean that your student must take every AP class available in high school, but it does mean they should showcase their strengths. If your student loves math, perhaps that’s the area where they should push themselves.
- It’s important to stand out in other ways. Competitive colleges like those in the Ivy League receive tens of thousands of applications every year from exceptionally talented students. Grades and test scores alone might not get a student into those schools. Admissions officers seek students who are passionate, curious and motivated and who will contribute in unique ways to their institutions. The essay/writing sample and counselor/teacher recommendations are a great way for students to share these character traits and their goals.
- With extracurricular activities, think quality over quantity. A resume with a lengthy list of activities is less impressive than one that demonstrates a student’s sincere commitment to the things they do. If a student has loved computers since childhood, being a member of 10 clubs isn’t enough. Students should embrace opportunities that will deepen their knowledge and take on leadership positions. Admissions officers want to see students who are engaged in whatever they do, not just passive participants.
It's not always easy to interpret what selective colleges are seeking in prospective students, but it’s safe to say that they all want students who make the most of school. Colleges tend to accept students who will enrich their campus. An applicant’s academic excellence is the factor that admissions officers weigh most heavily, and high SAT or ACT scores will reflect that.
Have big college goals? Call Huntington. We’ll identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a customized, one-to-one SAT/ACT prep program that will help them reach their college dreams.
Summer is the best time to prepare for the SAT or ACT. Students have more time to focus on test prep without the conflicts of school, homework and extracurricular activities. High school seniors who are considering applying to colleges or universities through early action or early decision plans need to have test scores submitted as early as October 15th.
For almost 50 years, Huntington has helped tens of thousands of students each year improve their SAT or ACT test scores and get accepted into their colleges of choice.
Learn more about Huntington’s SAT and ACT prep programs and the Huntington test prep approach at www.huntingtonhelps.com. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to get your student started.
