Applying to College
Admitting Students…How the Colleges Decide
Contributing Writer – Vicki Wright
MOST COLLEGES are more interested in a “well-rounded class than well-rounded individuals.”
They want as varied a group as possible, and they want students who they believe will contribute to the life of the school in a variety of ways. They are also eager to “match” students to their schools.
At selective schools, applications are read by one or more members of the admissions staff and their sense of your academic performance forms the basis of how you will be presented to the entire admissions committee. Admission counselors will closely scrutinize your transcript first and foremost. Serving as an academic history of sorts, this document lists your high school courses and grades, and, as a result, is central to the review process. Many schools use your cumulative grade point average (GPA) and standardized test scores—typically either the SAT or the ACT—as means of providing an overview of your academic performance and hence, potential. Whereas large state schools tend to implement cut-off points for GPAs and standardized scores, private colleges do not usually have cut-off points, but will need very good reasons to admit someone who’s GPA and scores fall below their normal standards.
In addition to assessing your academic credentials (including your testing), the admissions officer looks at the rest of your application folder: The recommendations, lists of activities and essay. Most selective schools could easily fill their classes with straight A, 2050+ students, but are not necessarily looking only for such students. The admissions committee is expected to admit students who will match the needs, values and interests of its school. The faculty wants them to admit bright students, the coaches want them to admit talented players, the alumni expect social consideration, etc. These different groupings are called “pools.” In order to be admitted, you must demonstrate your superiority within the pool in which you have been considered.
The careful reflection you did about yourself in the beginning of the process should help you determined the pools into which you are likely to fit. Discussing these categorizations and how to strengthen your position within these pools will be a major focus of your meetings with your counselor in the fall. These days, many people will advise you to take advantage of the way admissions works, either by portraying yourself as a good match or by tailoring your application to make you more attractive within one or more of the pools. You may feel comfortable following this advice; however, you should consider the possible consequences carefully. You may end up attending the wrong school for your particular needs. Instead of being stimulated, you may be overwhelmed or simply bored. Instead of being happy, you may be dissatisfied or anxious. In the end, attending a school where you are truly a good “match” works best for the greatest number of people.
AS YOU APPLY
You must complete all material that is required for your application, and submit your application on or before the published deadlines. You should be the sole author of your applications.
You should seek the assistance of your high school counselor early and throughout the application period. Follow the process recommended by your high school for filing college applications.
It is your responsibility to arrange, if appropriate, for visits and/or interviews at colleges of your choice.
AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR ADMISSION DECISION
You must notify each college or university that accepts you whether you are accepting or rejecting its offer. You should make these notifications as soon as you have chosen the college that you wish to attend, but no later than 1 May.
You may confirm your intention to enroll and, if required, submit a deposit to only one college or university. The exception to that arises if you are put on a wait list by a college or university and are later admitted to that institution. You may accept the offer and send a deposit; however you must immediately notify the college or university at which you previously indicated your intention to enroll.
If you are accepted under an early decision plan, you must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges and universities and file no additional application. If you are an early decision candidate and are seeking financial aid, the previously mentioned withdrawal of other applications presumes that you have received notification about financial aid.