THE ROAD TO COLLEGE
The road to college does not begin during the summer prior to Grade 12. Even though most universities evaluate a student’s academic and personal journey from Grades 9 to 12, preparation often starts much earlier. Applicants need to prove that they will meet the academic demands in their school of choice. In addition, they need to demonstrate a genuine interest in shaping their future community. These criteria are not defined by specific cutoffs in scores or a particular formula, which adds even more unpredictability to the selection process.
The section below highlights some key components of the university application process and common mistakes that should be avoided:
Academic Record
The majority of universities in the U.S. require students to present their academic transcript for grades 9-12 (the four years of high school under the American education system). Schools look for rigor, challenge, excellence, and consistency in each applicant. Candidates need to demonstrate that they have taken full advantage of every opportunity offered to them during their high school career.
Some common mistakes include:
– Disregarding Grade 9 results because some curricula classify the high school years as Grades 10 to 12 or 11 to 12
– Experiencing a decline in the Grade Point Average due to lack of focus or motivation
– Opting for less challenging courses (in schools where electives are offered as part of the curriculum, such as AP or IB) in order to obtain higher grades
Teacher and Counselor Recommendations
Universities look to teacher and counselor recommendations to assess a candidate’s personal traits. These letters shed some light into a student’s intellectual curiosity, work habits, willingness to take initiative, and ability to make a difference in his/her community. Recommendations also illustrate an applicant’s character (i.e. is this person selfish, competitive, ethical?)
The greatest mistakes include:
– Not developing good relationships with teachers early on
– Failing to participate in class discussions
– Approaching teachers too late in the process, when they do not have time to write a meaningful recommendation.
– Asking teachers who do not know the student well.
– Opting to write the recommendation in the teacher’s place
Standardized Test Scores
The majority of selective universities in the US require students to take the SAT I, ACT, SAT II Subject tests, and the TOEFL. These standardized exams provide a baseline or benchmark for assessing applicants across different schools and curricula.
While standardized test scores do not guarantee acceptance, low results can jeopardize a student’s chances of getting accepted.
A number of prestigious institutions have established an SAT-optional policy in which students are not required to submit these scores. However, the vast majority of applicants to these schools disregard this as an option.
Common pitfalls include:
– Late start
– Lack of familiarity with test formats
– Lack of practice under timed conditions
– Failure to register on time
Essays
Essays are the most personal component of the college application. Students have the ability to portray the experiences that differentiate them from other applicants. Specific college supplements allow applicants to demonstrate their interest, career objectives, understanding of a specific university, its academic offerings, and culture. More importantly, these additional questions enable students to demonstrate that they represent the ideal fit for each particular school.
The most common challenges include:
– Developing the comfort and confidence to share a personal experience.
– Understanding the difference between a personal essay, a confessional essay, and an academic essay.
– Identifying topics that should be avoided.
– Finding the right tone.
– Ensuring that all information is accurate and ethical.
Outside the Classroom
Universities look for applicants who will make a difference on campus and beyond. This is because college-life in America is largely shaped by students. At a large number of schools, most undergraduates live on-campus. Events, activities, and causes are almost entirely driven by their involvement and initiative. Consequently, colleges look for candidates who will make an impact in their community. Applicants are thus expected to demonstrate involvement and commitment outside the classroom during their high school career. The breadth and depth of these activities ranges broadly, but candidates are expected to show leadership, creativity, dedication, and consistency.
Some common mistakes include:
– Taking a spray approach towards activities (i.e. signing up for a long list of clubs without making a difference in any organization)
– Avoiding leadership roles
– Frequently switching between different clubs and activities, without demonstrating a clear transformation in interests
To inspire your journey into college, please contact us to arrange a meeting through our email contact@i-ivy.com