Good grades count
To get into a top university, of course, you have to have stellar academics. Most Ivy Leagues accept students who are within the top 1-3% of their graduating class. These colleges are eager to see that you have challenged yourself academically. Besides high school grades, standardised test scores (SAT/ACT) often play a role in admission decisions, as they establish parity in the admissions process. However, in the past 2 years, due to the pandemic, majority of universities have either become test optional, or test blind, which means that students can still apply to universities without these scores.
To say that universities look at grades and SAT/ACT scores is stating the obvious. It is your passport for getting into a top university. Ultimately, once you have crossed the grades and test score barrier, then how do these admissions officers differentiate you from the rest of the pool?
In the past few years, at OnCourse, we have seen students face tremendous amounts of pressure to get perfect grades, the best scores, and to pursue activities that ‘look good’ on a resume.
What really works
It is important to note that universities understand that they are admitting 18-year-olds. Can a student really excel in every activity? Do all musicians really have to also excel in sports? Do all passionate writers need to learn an instrument? The answer is simple. No. So then, what are these universities really looking for?
A story. Think about how you would want to be remembered by an admissions officer reading a sea of applications. Are you the ‘self-published author who loves to code?’ or are you the ‘sports enthusiast who also loves Broadway?’ They are looking for students who have a genuine interest and love for what they do. Consistency is key- how long have you been pursuing the activity for? The longer you pursue an activity, the higher the chances that you have mastered it. If you have always loved music, is there a creative way in which you can showcase this interest? Besides just taking the exams (which of course, do add some validation), did you try to ever compose your own music? Maybe you have found a way to use your passion for music to improve the lives of others.
Driving passion
Universities like to admit leaders. Students who have the potential to change the world. It is important to show them what really drives you. Initiative could mean establishing your own social project or being an advocate for a cause you feel strongly about. It could mean starting your own business. Again, think about what you care about.
At the end of the day, universities want to admit students who are independent, who may have failed in the past, but who have learnt from those failures. They want to see how you have managed to deal with hardships (big or small), or how you have helped someone through it. They want to see that you have maturity to understand your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses.
As you navigate the application process, you realise that colleges provide the opportunity to write about these initiatives in your essays. Use your essays to showcase your personality. To think out of the box. To really give them an opportunity to see why you would be the right fit for the university. Most importantly- the essay should be your voice. Remember, it is not a writing competition- it is just a platform for you to tell them your story.
Finally, keep in mind that colleges are eager to see that you have pushed the boundaries of your own potential, and that you genuinely love the things you do – they are not looking for that ‘perfect’ applicant.
(The author is CEO – OnCourse Vantage Pvt Ltd)
