The college admission board is often a nightmare to many students. This is where most dreams are crushed with a rejection of college admission. But what is it that goes on in the background that determines the admission decision? This knowledge can help students know their chances of receiving positive admission news. Today, we’ll explore the factors that count in college admission.
Courses and grade
The most significant combination of factors that determine the admission decisions is courses and grades. The course that you select against the grades that you scored previously matters a lot. Very competitive courses will often demand that students not only meet the admission requirements but also maintain good grades. As an example, a student is likely to be admitted if they have scored an A in a course that only needs a grade of B. A piece of advice for students is to avoid choosing courses whose requirements are far above the grades achieved. The chances of getting admission in such a scenario are hard.
Class rank
Even though most colleges and universities deny using this factor, it is a silent consideration by the admission board. It is mostly used in competitive colleges and universities. This factor can be used to break a tie in college admission. If you were amongst the top students in your class, your admission chances are higher than those who were at the bottom.
Essays
Apart from your previous grade, essays are the primary contact between the student and the admission board. A well-written essay will attract the attention of the admission board and probably lead to a favorable decision. The opposite is also true. This means that students need to be serious about their application essays. Learn the ways of writing an application essay to seek the attention of the admission board.
Recommendations
Some colleges are very strict about the recommendations that students receive from their counselors and faculty members. For these recommendations to work in a student’s favor, they must be highly specific i.e. show with precision the student’s strengths. It should demonstrate how the student can add to the classroom experience, attempt original projects, and set high expectations for themselves.
Extracurricular activities
Another factor that determines admission to colleges is the depth of involvement of a student beyond the classroom setup. Students that are likely to be considered are that have a clear focus on a limited number of interests and show documentation of involvement with organizations. Having extras such as ACLS Renewal can also be an advantage.