There has been a lot of talk about college admissions for a long time. Some say it’s a totally arbitrary system, while others claim that universities use careful planning and strategy. Is there some kind of random selection process in place, or do colleges use other criteria when choosing students? It also includes tips on how to do better on the college entrance exam and increase your chances of getting accepted.
The Admissions Process: Random or Strategic?
Holistic Admissions Process:
U.S. college admissions officers typically consider a number of criteria when weighing an applicant’s overall standing. One term for this is “holistic” admissions. Examples include academic performance, scores on standardized tests, participation in extracurricular activities, community service, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Although there is some room for interpretation in the process, it is not entirely arbitrary. Admissions officers want students who will bring more to campus than just academic excellence. You might not immediately see the connection between applying to college and playing slots at a casino. The randomness of both processes, however, allows us to draw some fascinating parallels. This study looks at how randomness and chance play a role in the selection process for universities and slot machine odds in casinos. There is an element of chance in both applying to college and playing slot machines. Candidates can increase their chances of acceptance by bolstering their credentials and effort through the strategic and all-encompassing college admissions process. On the other hand, slot machines are controlled entirely by random number generators (RNGs), so player skill or strategy is completely irrelevant. The comparison is a gentle reminder that, although randomness and chance may seem to be the norm, people can improve their outcomes through educated decision-making and strategic efforts, even when these factors seem to be out of their control. Read more about the randomness of slot games over at SpinGenie.com.
The Role of Admissions Officers:
Officers in charge of admissions are tasked with reviewing applications and making selections based on the data provided. They know what they’re doing and always follow the rules set forth by the company. This guarantees an extremely random outcome to the process. Because it takes into account the institution’s values and goals, the admissions process is less arbitrary and more strategic.
Tips to Increase Chances of College Acceptance and Test Performance:
1. Earn Good Grades in Challenging Courses
Universities place a premium on applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining high GPAs and taking challenging courses. The National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) conducted a survey of colleges in 2019 and found that nearly three-quarters of them considered students’ course grades to be very important. Christina Skeldon, a college counselor and executive functioning coach at JBG Educational Group, says, “A good GPA gets you through the first round.” “The next step is to highlight the individual qualities that set this student apart. What did they do when they weren’t in school? They must be a student, because what else could they be? “Over 80% of schools ranked curriculum rigor as at least somewhat important, so it’s in your best interest to take as many advanced classes as possible, especially in your junior and senior years. Think carefully about which AP, honors, or IB courses to enroll in. Skeldon explains that universities “like to see that students challenged themselves and took higher-level courses in areas that they are strong in.”
2. Get a High SAT/ACT Score
SAT/ACT scores continue to be helpful indicators of whether an applicant will be admitted to a four-year university, despite the increasing prevalence of test-optional policies in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than four out of five institutions surveyed by the NACAC placed moderate to high importance on students’ performance on standardized tests. Even if a particular university doesn’t request standardized test results, you should still submit them anyway. In order to determine whether or not they need to retake the exam in the fall of their senior year, many juniors opt to take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year. Preparing for either test is easiest with the help of official practice questions and tests, many of which can be found online for free. You can also study for the SAT or ACT with the assistance of a tutor, a class, or a book.
3. Write a Compelling Personal Statement
The personal statement is more crucial than ever given that many universities no longer require the SAT or ACT for admission. More than half of the colleges and universities surveyed by NACAC considered the essay or writing sample to be important. The essay you submit is one of your best marketing tools. Skeldon argues that a strong essay can reveal more about an applicant than their grades and test scores. Don’t rush into choosing a topic or coming up with a new twist on an existing one. The point is to relate an interesting anecdote about yourself.
4. Demonstrate Interest
A recent NACAC study found that for 40% of the schools surveyed, the level of interest shown by prospective students is a crucial factor. Visiting a school, taking a tour, and talking to admissions officers are all great ways to demonstrate your interest in enrolling there. Skeldon stressed the importance of a formal visit. Some universities still require interviews, so I believe it looks good when a student reaches out to the admissions office to request one. You can also show your interest by interacting with professors in your intended field, submitting an early decision application (if one is offered), following the school’s social media accounts, and signing up for online seminars geared toward prospective students.
5. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are crucial because they reveal more about an applicant’s personality than their grades and test scores do. Because of this, it’s crucial to ask people who will give glowing accounts of your skills, accomplishments, and character to serve as references. The standard request for recommendation letters from teachers and high school counselors is three to five. Use proper etiquette when making your request. Don’t forget to inquire about this at least a month before the application deadlines. Give your recommender plenty of time to put together a stellar letter of recommendation.
6. Apply to a Diverse Selection of Colleges
All three of a student’s “safety,” “match,” and “reach” schools should be applied to. Inquire with your high school’s guidance counselor about potential colleges to which you could apply and their acceptance rates. If you pick these people as your matches and safeties, you have a good chance of being accepted. Once that is complete, you can begin thinking about “reach schools,” or schools where you have a lower chance of acceptance. Keep in mind that the vast majority of students cannot afford to attend elite institutions such as the Ivy League or very prestigious private universities like Stanford. Applying to more than one school increases your chances of being accepted to at least one of them.
7. Opt for an Early Admission Plan
It has been shown through research that applying to colleges early increases the likelihood of being accepted. This is because a higher proportion of applicants to colleges are admitted during early decision and early action. Skeldon always stresses the importance of having applications in on time. The optimal time to submit an application for both programs is in early November. You can expect to hear back about the status of your admissions application earlier than the usual December deadline. In the event of admission, students participating in early decision are expected to commit to attending that school. Students participating in early action are not under the same obligation.
8. Manage Your Online Reputation
Admissions officers are increasingly checking applicants’ social media profiles to learn more about them and to look for warning signs that might discourage them from extending an acceptance. Before applying to colleges, remove anything embarrassing or inappropriate from your online profiles. Skeldon advised keeping social media profiles private and emphasized the value of using a business-related email address. Checking your name on Google to make sure nothing negative has been posted in your name is also a good idea.
9. Get Help When You Need It
It is not advised that you tackle the college application process alone. If you need help with the application process, talk to a guidance counselor or a teacher who has experience in the field. Advice about the application process and college life can also be gleaned from parents, friends, and older siblings. Last but not least, check for grammatical errors in your application. Skeldon stressed the need for a second opinion on your work. The importance of using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation cannot be overstated.
