Understanding what college admission officers (CAOs) seek in applicants and planning accordingly can help students achieve more success with less stress. Thoughtful preparation can improve your credentials, make you a more desirable candidate, and broaden your options. 

Take Challenging Courses and Succeed Academically 

An impressive academic record – challenging curriculum and strong performance – is the most important admissions factor.  Think twice before dropping a foreign language or enrolling in an easier math class. A rigorous class schedule shows intellectual curiosity, a willingness to challenge yourself, and that you are comfortable with hard work.

CAOs look for rigor and how the applicant has taken advantage of what is offered (e.g. AP, IB classes) in his or her high school environment. Course offerings and other important information about an applicant’s high school opportunities are found in the school’s profile which typically accompanies the transcript. 

Earning slightly lower grades in rigorous classes is preferred to all A’s in less challenging coursework.  Most colleges recalculate GPA based on core subjects (English, math, science, social science, foreign language) with additional weight given to more rigorous coursework. Academically-ambitious students should take at least five core courses concurrently throughout high school

CAOs often look at AP exam scores, which students typically have the opportunity to self-report. 

Participate in Extracurricular Activities & Seek Leadership Experiences
Focus on quality involvement in activities and volunteer service. Depth, not breadth, is valued most as well as passion, initiative, grit, creativity, impact, team building, and leadership. Substantive commitment to a few activities or passion project(s) is preferable to widespread participation. CAOs look for students who have made an impact in their high school, city, community, or beyond. Students who have identified an area of interest and accomplished something meaningful in that field can be particularly impressive. Examples: launched a business; initiated a charitable drive that raised and donated a sizeable amount of money to a worthy cause; taught himself or herself an impressive skill and then put it to use to benefit the community; engaged in significant research or advocacy work, summer activities, work, internships, or volunteer service that reflects commitment, responsibility, dedication, personal promise, and pursuit of interests.

Seek out opportunities to develop leadership roles. Most colleges prefer to see fewer activities, but ones that really interest you, where you are involved in a significant way.

You may also want to consider an internship, research position, job shadowing opportunity or part-time employment in an area that interests you. Starting your own club, website, or community service project can show initiative, dedication, and leadership.

Plan ahead for College Entrance Exams.

While some colleges are test-optional (or flexible), most schools require applicants to submit some or all SAT and/or ACT test scores.  SAT Subject Tests are also required or recommended for certain institutions. High entrance exam scores do not compensate for low grades.

• Since colleges do not have a preference, Admission By Design often advises students to take a timed full-length practice test of each type to help decide which test(s) to take. Factors such as how the student handles time pressure, what types of questions you find most challenging and the potential desire to delete unwanted test scores, can help determine which test is a better fit.  
• Admission by Design frequently advises students to take the June ACT at the end of their sophomore year as a baseline and to order a Test Information Release (TIR) with original test questions, the student’s answers, and the answer key used to grade the multiple choice section.  The TIR can be helpful for assessing the exam’s fit for the student and streamlining the preparation process.
• Admission By Design sometimes encourages students to take SAT Subject Tests, following the completion of advanced coursework, when it is fresh — even in early years of high school. Example: Sophomore taking AP World History.

Context. CAOs gain perspective from each candidate’s high school profile and background information provided in the student’s application.  Academically-qualified first-generation students (first in the immediate family to attend college) may receive preference over applicants whose parents are professionals with graduate degrees.  Candidates from very challenging high schools may receive some leniency for slightly lower grades or class rank. CAOs may look for additional evidence of college-readiness in applicants from schools where a relatively low percentage of graduates attend four-year colleges.

Special Talents, Passions, and Experiences. Most selective schools seek students who contribute to an accomplished, interesting, well-rounded, and intellectually-stimulating college community, as opposed to a collection of well-rounded students. CAOs keep their eyes open for students with unique and interesting talents and experiences. Many colleges provide a process for students to share evidence of certain extraordinary talents and achievements. Researchers, performing artists, visual artists, writers, and makers (engineers and creators) should consider these opportunities.  

Quality Involvement in Activities. Depth, not breadth, is valued most as well as passion, initiative, grit, creativity, impact, team building, and leadership. Substantive commitment to a few activities or passion project(s) is preferable to widespread participation. CAOs look for students who have made an impact in their high school, city, community, or beyond. Students who have identified an area of interest and accomplished something meaningful in that field can be particularly impressive. Examples: launched a business; initiated a charitable drive that raised and donated a sizeable amount of money to a worthy cause; taught himself or herself an impressive skill and then put it to use to benefit the community; engaged in significant research or advocacy work, summer activities, work, internships, or volunteer service that reflects commitment, responsibility, dedication, personal promise, and pursuit of interests.

Intellectual Curiosity can be demonstrated through reading, coursework, extracurriculars, summer activities, research, enrichment, MOOCs, self-study, TED Talks, etc.

Well-Conceived and Well-Constructed Application Essays are ones that that portray a student in a likable manner and provide insight into personality, values, motivations, aspirations, and potential to be a good fit.

Strong Recommendations.  CAOs look for confirmation and additional insight in teacher and counselor recommendations.  Recommendations typically come from junior-year academic subject teachers and school guidance counselors with anecdotal evidence of student’s intellectual curiosity, abilities, positive character traits, leadership, ability to bring out the best in others. Extra recommendation(s) from a coach, supervisor, advisor, or someone who knows the student well can help when it is allowed and sheds new light on the applicant.

Interviews that support the student’s strengths, good character, and interest in attending can be pivotal — whether the interview is evaluative or informational.

Demonstrated Interest and Personal Fit with the college’s mission and programs are important. Interest is conveyed through targeted campus visits and other interactions, smart inquiries, interviews, and well-researched, heartfelt responses to supplemental questions on college applications. Demonstrated interest plays an increasingly important role in today’s competitive admissions environment. The qualified student who makes a compelling presentation of the match between self and the college stands a higher chance of admission.

Fit with College’s Strategic Priorities. CAOs are responsible for creating a freshman class of “valued” students that will further the university’s goals — multifaceted objectives of the institution could include:

• Promoting diversity by enrolling more sought-after minorities, students from underrepresented areas, first-generation, and international students.
• Advancing school spirit and sports team performance with athletic recruiting and preferential admission for athletes.
• Fostering alumni pride, family tradition, school spirit, fundraising, and volunteerism by giving legacies an admissions advantage.
• Furthering fundraising efforts by giving “development” (donor-affiliated) candidates extra consideration.
• Garnering publicity by enrolling famous people’s kids.
• Creating a more balanced and interesting community by enrolling musicians, artists, performers, females in STEM majors, makers, entrepreneurs, and others with desired attributes.
• Balancing the budget by recruiting and enrolling more full-pay students.
• Raising rankings position by encouraging more applications, rejecting more applicants, and attracting high achievers. (Combination of marketing, scholarship enticements, early application plans.)
• Bragging rights with ISEF, Siemens, Google Science Fair, National Speech and Debate, Math/Science Olympiad winners; National Merit Scholars; TASP and RSI participants; Jeopardy champions; math enthusiasts who scored high on the AIME or AIC.
• Enhancing student life and the college community with accomplished volunteers, leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, role models, and those with interesting backgrounds and experiences.