7 Things Savvy Good Students Do to Avoid Being Rejected Good Students
Yesterday I spoke briefly about the various reasons why good students are not accepted. I also provided some advice for parents. Today, I'd like to discuss 7 techniques that savvy students may use to avoid the various reasons that get good students rejected:
- Submit your application early - Quotas or preferences for a specific geographical location or gender occur at many universities. Unfortunately, because it is based on simple, statistical information, there's no way to color your application if you're disfavored. Instead, get around these ceilings by submitting your application as soon as possible. If a university is committed to accepting only 100 applicants from Massachusetts, make sure you are one of the first 100 they review. Naturally, you'll never know what statistical quotas each college is using on any given year, so submit every application early just in case.
- Do your research - Colleges frequently talk about the types of students they're looking for, but many applicants are not listening. Be different by actually keeping your eyes and ears open. Note the types of recruitment presentations each college gives, and if they seem particularly dedicated to finding, for example, first-generation students and you happen to be one, play up this fact in your essay. Also, read through each university's enrolled student information (usually available on their websites) and note any underrepresented population that you may be a member of. Statistics for racial groups, genders (both males and females are sometimes underrepresented), geographical location, and other basic statistics are available here. A sharp eye for phrases like, "we're committed to expanding our gender diversity" will let you know what types of personal features you should comment on in your essays.
Explore your own personal diversity - Even if a website or college admissions officer does not explicitly mention a certain group they feel their student body is lacking, you should still discuss the types of things that make you unique. This doesn't need to be only racial diversity, but also things like special personal experiences, status as a first-generation student, birth in a foreign country, physical disability, or anything that makes you diverse. For tips on how to discuss these types of things, consult my article on expressing diversity in the personal statement.- Make yourself internally diverse - Even if you are interested in a college looking for more first-generation students and come from a lengthy Ivy League pedigree, all is not lost. There is rarely only one thing a college is looking for. So make sure to at least mention all sorts of facts about yourself that may put you into a niche the university is looking to fill. Avoid creating a laundry list of statistics, of course, but do feel free to discuss all of the unique features and experiences that have contributed to making you who you are.
- Appear interested and dedicated - If you're an otherwise qualified candidate but fall into a group the college simply feels it has too much of already, the admissions committee will be looking for reasons not to accept you. Make this job harder (and also encourage them to reject other applications in your same pile instead) by sounded interested in and dedicated to the university. Opening an essay with, "I have always wanted to attend X College" is trite, but weaving in an anecdote about how the school library reminds you of a beloved building from your youth will make you seem much more interested in the college than the average applicant. Subtlety weaving in something that would make the admissions officer think that you would be likely to contribute to the alumni fund will help as well.
Write an essay with universal appeal - You may be incredibly passionate about football, but a college admissions officer who hates sports will be bored by the subject matter. This does not mean that you should avoid writing about it -- all personal statements should be about topics you have a passion for -- but merely that you should try to avoid any technical jargon that a non-fan would be confused by. Also, try to connect your topic to a more universal experience. For example, use a metaphor to compare your proudest in-game football moment to falling in love. Read your essay and ask yourself if everyone would be able to relate to it. If not, try to broaden your language.- Above all, be the best you can be - You're not going to be able to anticipate every little thing the college may be looking for. So don't stress about quotas too much; instead, do the best you can to highlight yourself. If you put your strongest foot forward, the university is much more likely to be interested in you despite any quotas or preferences they might have
The process may seem unfair at times, but these techniques should help to transform you from a rejected good student, to an accepted good student.
Have a question or comment? 2 people do.When Good Students Are Rejected
Reader and parent Gary B. writes in, unsatisfied with the college admissions process and looking for suggestions:
My daughter was rejected from UCLA. That's a common phrase from parents, I'm sure, but here's what's uncommon: Her GPA was 4.1 weighted, 3.89 unweighted. She achieved 30 on the ACT, 740 on SAT II math, and 680 in chemistry. As I'm sure you know, these scores rank her in all the top percentiles. Though she didn't always take the hardest courses available to her, most were honors and AP. She was Vice-President of a club, spent three years on a sports team, two of them varsity, plays a musical instrument and did about 55 hours of community service in her junior and senior years. So I guess my question is: If she is so far above the averages, why was she still rejected? And what can I do to appeal the decision?
Thanks for writing, Gary. I wish I could give a more exact response, but I'm afraid that I just don't know enough about your daughter's unique background to know precisely why UCLA might decide not to accept her. She does seem like quite a talented young woman, though.
I would like to reframe your thinking a bit. Remember that college admissions is not just about the numbers game. An application full of high test scores and impressive GPAs complete with a resume padded with accomplishments and activities may look like a guaranteed admission, but there are other factors considered, too. Simply comparing basic statistical information between students rarely paints the entire picture. Application review is a holistic process, which evaluates the totality of a student's experiences. This explains some of the apparent inconsistencies that arise from comparing applicants.
Also remember that with the competitiveness of all students constantly increasing, there is more subjectivity than ever in the decision-making process. Two essays of equal technical merit and on comparatively deep and analytical issues may resonate differently with the same admissions officer. Sometimes getting lucky and penning a personal statement that touches upon the reader's particular emotions that day is the difference between acceptance and rejection, unfair as that may be.
Finally, remember that college do not simply admit the "best" 2000 applicants for their 2000 available seats. A university wants to build diversity into its new student body. Thus, if the "best" 2000 students all happen to play a musical instrument but have never competed in a science fair, the 2001st and 2002nd "best" applicants who did may be accepted over someone in the top 2000. In other words, similarities your daughter shared with other applicants in the same general test score and GPA bracket may have hurt her, even though these are circumstances completely beyond her control.
We can never really know for sure why admissions committees make some of the decisions they do. At best, we can plan and strategize, but ultimately luck does play a role, especially at the more elite colleges. Though I must recommend against pursuing to your final question, "what can I do to appeal the decision?" What you can do is much different than what your daughter can do. If she would like additional review, she may contact the admissions office herself and request information about the procedure. I encourage you to support her in this process if she decides to do it, but do not force her and especially do not do it yourself.
The most important thing you can do as a parent is to remain positive and supportive. Be there for your daughter and help her through the disappointment she is feeling. This time is incredibly stressful for her. I highly recommend my article on this topic, How Parents can Deal Positively with Rejection, which should provide additional guidance for you and some tips for how to support your daughter. Know that a single rejection is never the end of the world, and that if UCLA was your daughter's dream school, there are still avenues to her ultimate enrollment there. Good luck to you and your daughter, and thanks again for your question.
Have a question or comment? 2 people do.Does Using Other Acceptances as Leverage to get more Financial Aid Work?
A reader going by the name Coach left a comment disagreeing with my advice in answering the question, how many colleges should I apply to? in which I recommended students limit themselves to 5-7 choices. Coach made a very interesting argument, and suggested that applying to many more colleges may be a better route (click here to read his full comment):
I don't see any value in limiting students to a specified number of colleges. In fact, it's counterproductive. More college acceptances in a high numbers game generates 2 advantages: increase of the possibility of being accepted somewhere, and working with more leverage to get more financial aid by working several school offers against each other's.
You make a helpful point about using competing financial aid offers for leverage, Coach, but I have to disagree with you somewhat. Even with only 5-7 applications, students should still receive enough acceptances to provide this advantage (assuming they are reasonable with their acceptance expectations and self-assessment). There is no need to apply to 20 or more schools simply to have a dozen financial aid letters to throw in the other colleges' faces. The extra time and expense associated with additional applications -- even with the Common Application Form -- will not pay off in this regard.
Also, while your tactic may have worked a few years ago, it is becoming much less effective now. With the number of applications rising substantially, and with colleges' finances stretching thinner each year, universities have their pick in a large field of very qualified applicants. Many students asking for a financial aid boost will hear, "we're sorry, but we have reached our cap on financial assistance," even with leverage.
Many financial aid officers hate this technique, as well. You will find that some colleges even have strict polices against adjusting aid offers; however, some will if you know how to ask. But remember, a university is neither a flea market nor a Circuit City. Financial directors will become less accommodating if you use the word "negotiation", and they will absolutely not "price match", so avoid both terms. Offering to "bargain" or insisting upon your "leverage" are two more words to stay away from. What you should be requesting is a "review".
When asking for this review, do so in a formal letter rather than a phone call. This allows you to be more controlled in your correspondence and avoids financial aid representatives from falling back on a "I can't do that" script they have memorized. In the letter, thank the officer for his or her offer, and express great interest in the school and its programs. Then, show your worry about being able to meet your expected family contribution (or EFC). Explaining any special circumstances such as unemployment, death in the family, or medical bills should be done at this point as well. Finally, simply ask if they can provide any help.
Discussing exact dollar amounts of other offers, or mentioning how many colleges gave you better financial aid plans are generally regarded as boorish tactics, and often will hurt your chances. Maintain the tone of asking for help rather than threatening or boasting, and the reader will be much more likely to think of ways to meet your needs. You may make a brief, casual mention of a competing offer, but only in passing. The goal is not to appear as if you have expectations as a result of your other offers, but merely to express that your financial situation will have to play a role in your ultimate college decision.
Whatever their response, thank them for their assistance and move on. Pressing the issue will not help. Even if your badgering gets you an extra few thousand dollars for your first year, the aid office will most likely lower your assistance when they review your plan in the following years.
Be respectful, and eliminate words like "leverage" from your vocabulary. You're not at a used car lot, and financial aid officers hate being made to feel like car salesmen. You can ask for a review, but never try to "negotiate". And finally, to return to Coach's suggestion, it is never necessary to apply to additional colleges only to receive financial aid offers to later use to "bargain". This tactic worked in the past, but has no place in the modern admissions strategy. I maintain my advice to apply to 5-7 colleges, and to stick only to schools that you would really want to end up attending. Save your time and money by rejecting the old, outdated leveraging technique.
Have a question or comment? Leave me one.What to Do During Spring Break
With many students across the nation starting their spring breaks this week, I thought it would be a good time to review ways to maximize your vacation period. I want to first remind both students and parents that spring break should be a time for rest; burning out now will hurt you a lot in the long run. But there are still things you should be doing this week to keep on the college track.
For Freshman: If you haven't started to keep a list of your activities and accomplishments, do so now. When it comes time to write your resume for college, having a list of your greatest achievements in one, centralized source will make your 'brag sheet' much easier. It will also ensure that you leave nothing out. You should also start looking into scholarships you could apply for. Writing a simple 2-page essay could net you a quick $500 for college, and the money adds up really quickly if you commit do doing this for the next four years. Consult with your high school's counselors or with a website like FastWeb.com to find these opportunities.
For Sophomores: In addition to everything a Freshman should be doing, you may also consider starting a preliminary list of colleges that interest you. Keeping in mind the 10 things to think about when picking a college, develop a list of about 15-20 schools that interest you. You don't have to do a huge amount of research on each university just yet, but having this list will at least prepare you for some of the steps you will have to take in the future. You can always add or subtract colleges as you learn more.
For Juniors: In addition to the Freshman and Sophomore activities, you should spend your spring break gearing up for the SAT or ACT if you have not yet taken one. You don't need to enroll in a test prep class just yet, but consider a book like The Official SAT Study Guide
For Seniors: Hopefully by now you have received a few college acceptances. Though many will not notify you until mid-April, having a college acceptance or two in hand by now is incredibly comforting. Keep up with scholarship applications, and schedule tours at the colleges that have accepted you to test them out. Many universities offer an "admit day" during spring break to meet with deans, staff, and faculty. Now is also a good time to finish planning your summer. Will you be taking a Summer Early Start program? Perhaps take a few preparatory community college courses? Get a job and earn some practical work experience and money? The choice is yours, but hammering out your plans now ensures that your summer is as productive as possible.
For more tips on how to plan your spring breaks and high school years, read my Action Plan Calendar.
Have a question or comment? 1 person does.“College Is Harder than Ever to Get Into!” - Latest Misleading Shock Headline?
Many admissions blogs -- and, even more unfortunately, local news outlets -- are taking the following statistics and coming to the conclusion that "college is harder than ever to get into:"
Universities across the country are announcing record low admission rates this year. Yale University set the Ivy League record by accepting only 8.6 percent of its 21,099 hopeful applicants. Other record lows include Brown University (13.8%), Columbia University (9.6%), Dartmouth College (15.4%), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (13%), Stanford University (11%), and University of Pennsylvania (17.7%).
However, the leap from "record low admissions" to "college is harder to get into" is misleading. As I have previously discussed (with regard to Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale), while there has been a massive increase in 2008 applications, the selectivity of each college remains comparatively unchanged. The sudden drop in admissions statistics per college may be accounted for by the fact that students are applying to, on average, three times as many schools as students did just a few years ago.
However, there's no denying that there are more students than ever looking for college admission. Not only is a higher percentage of graduating high school seniors looking toward university life, but the number of graduating seniors is also increasing. With 3.2 million graduating in 2009, the largest in US history, it is undoubtable that the volume of applications will continue to rise.
I want to remind future applicants again, though, that the bar for a 'qualified student' has remained consistent at almost all schools. If your 3.9 GPA and 2340 SAT would have gotten you into Yale last year, it will probably still get you into Yale next year. That is also true, by the way, of smaller, local schools and state universities -- selectivity has remained steady. Application volume may have gone way up, but that does not mean that qualified students will suddenly be turned away.
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Have a question or comment? 1 person does.Should I take an SAT Prep Course?
It's March, and many students are starting to think about the SAT and ACT examinations. Reader Timothy P. wants to know some ways to get prepared:
My GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be, so I really want to do well on the SAT. I have some friends that took a prep class and really liked it, and other friends who took a class and said it didn't help them at all. I sort of want to take one just in case, but all of them are really expensive. Could I just buy a book and practice on my own, or do I have to take a prep course? Or maybe hire a tutor? And which company is the best to use?
Hi, Timothy. The answer to the question, "do you have to take a prep course" is easy: No, you definitely do not need one. But "should you" is a different question entirely and is based on you personally.
Everyone responds differently to test preparation. Students who score in the mid-to-low range of test scores prior to class sessions tend to benefit the most from classes. Students in the highest and lowest score ranges tend to benefit the least, but can still get help from one-on-one tutors. Larger test preparation companies like The Princeton Review and Kaplan have guaranteed score increases, often about 200 points. But remember that some of this score increase comes simply from practicing the test. You might also increase 200 points on your own.
It's important to evaluate yourself as a student. Do you tend to be strongly self-driven and can easily commit to spending at least 8 hours a week working on the SAT without slacking at all? If not, helping you to overcome this is one of the biggest advantages of an SAT prep course. Because you have a teacher, a specific meeting time, and assigned homework, you're much more likely to keep up with your practice. But if you feel that you can be self-motivated, you may be fine without paying for a class.
The best thing to do is to pick up a book like the College Board's own Official SAT Study Guide
If you run through a few of these tests and you don't see yourself improving, or if you are finding it difficult to maintain focused and to set aside time to study, then you're probably a good candidate for a prep class. You don't necessarily need to spend thousands on one of the big names; a small, local company will work as well since they'll also keep you on track. But if you need help, the largest names tend to offer the best -- or at least the most consistent quality -- service.
Again, you never have to take a prep course. If you can study on your own and see improvement from your repeated practice tests, the $20 booklet will be enough. Scour the net for SAT tips (like those found right here on my own site: standardized test tips) and you should be fine. But if you ever feel like you need extra help, prep courses tend to be good investments for most students. Good luck!
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Have a question or comment? Leave me one.