What Looks Good On College Applications?

As a high school student, you may already think about your college applications and wonder how to make them stand out. The good news is that there are many things you can do to make yourself an attractive candidate to college admissions officers. This article discusses tips on what looks good on college applications.

Why is it important to have a good college application?

Why is it important to have a good college application? Having a good college application is important for several reasons. First, college application is the primary way colleges evaluate applicants and make admission decisions. A robust college application can increase your chances of getting accepted to the colleges of your choice, while a weak application can lead to rejection.

In addition to admission decisions, a good college application can impact other aspects of your college experience. For example, a robust application can increase your chances of being awarded scholarships or other forms of financial aid. It can also help you get into honors or other college-specialized programs.

Furthermore, a good college application can help you stand out from other applicants and showcase your unique strengths and qualities. This can be especially important in highly competitive admissions processes where many applicants have similar academic credentials.

Finally, a good college application can also help you gain valuable skills and experiences that will be useful throughout your academic and professional careers. The process of researching colleges, writing essays, and preparing for standardized tests can help you develop important skills like critical thinking, writing, and time management.

What do colleges look for in applicants?

What do colleges look for in applicants? Everyone who has applied to college has wondered, “What exactly are colleges looking for in applicants?” In other words, what makes a good college application? Even though all colleges are different, and some may value specific skills or qualities more or less than others, most colleges look for smart, hardworking, ambitious, and passionate students.

So, your college application should highlight the best and most impressive things about you, Hence the importance of knowing what looks good on college applications. For example, if you play the violin and want to study music in college, you should talk about this interest in different parts of your application.

A good college application will also show that you care about the school and want to go there. You wouldn’t apply for college if you didn’t want to go there, right? Explain how you became interested in the school and why you think it’s a good fit for you and your goals, especially if you have to write a “Why This College” essay.

This is a significant fact when you think about how many first-year college applications colleges get every year. According to the 2019 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) report, the number of first-year applications to US colleges increased by 6% from fall 2017 to fall 2018.

The report found that “the average number of applications for each admission office staff member (excluding administrative staff) was 1,035 for public institutions and 461 for private institutions during the Fall 2017 admission cycle.” If you want to get into that school, these trends show that your application must make a strong impression on the admissions committee.

How much you have to stand out from other applicants depends on how competitive a school is. Your application will need to be more impressive and unique the more selective the college is.

Last, what looks good on a college application depends on the college and what it values. For example, a high SAT score probably won’t matter much in getting into a college that doesn’t put a lot of weight on standardized tests.

This is just a broad look at what colleges want from applicants. So, what looks good on college applications? Next, we’ll talk about the specific things you should try to include in your application to improve your acceptance chances.

What looks good on college applications?

What else looks good on a college application besides important personality traits like ambition, passion, genuine interest, and academic curiosity? Let’s take a look at them in detail:

Strong academic performance: Admissions officers will look at your high school transcript to see how you performed academically. Make sure you take challenging courses and do well in them. This means taking advanced classes like AP or IB courses and maintaining good grades. Doing well in these classes shows that you are prepared for the academic rigor of college.

Extracurricular activities: Participating in extracurricular activities shows that you are a well-rounded individual passionate about more than just academics. This could include sports, music, theater, volunteer work, or leadership roles in clubs or organizations. Colleges want to see that you have interests outside of the classroom and are committed to pursuing them.

Strong test scores: While not all colleges require standardized test scores, many still do. Doing well on tests like the SAT or ACT can make you a more attractive candidate. Some colleges also require SAT Subject Tests or AP exams, so check the admissions requirements for the schools you are interested in.

Community service: Many colleges value community service and want to see that you have contributed to your community somehow. This could include volunteering at a local charity, participating in a service project, or helping at a community event. Not only does community service look good on your college application, but it also helps you develop essential skills like empathy, teamwork, and leadership.

Work experience: Having a job or an internship shows that you have work experience and can handle responsibilities outside of school. It also shows that you are proactive and have a strong work ethic. Whether it’s a part-time job or an internship in your field of interest, work experience can make you a more competitive candidate.

Strong letters of recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or other adults who know you well can go a long way in making your application stand out. Choose people who can speak to your character, work ethic, and strengths.

It’s important to note that what looks good on college applications would sometimes differ depending on the college you’re applying to, but the ones listed above should always be on their checklists!

How to increase my chances of getting accepted?

How to increase my chances of getting accepted? Getting accepted to college can be a competitive and challenging process, but there are several things that you can do to increase your chances of getting accepted. Here are some tips:

Focus on your academic performance: Colleges want to see that you have performed well academically, so it’s essential to maintain good grades and take challenging courses. This could include advanced classes like AP or IB courses.

Get involved in extracurricular activities: Colleges want to see that you are a well-rounded individual passionate about more than just academics. This could include sports, music, theater, volunteer work, or leadership roles in clubs or organizations.

Prepare for standardized tests: While not all colleges require standardized test scores, many still do. Preparing for tests like the SAT or ACT can help you achieve higher scores and make you a more competitive candidate.

Build strong relationships with teachers and counselors: Strong letters of recommendation can make a big difference in the college application process. Building strong relationships with teachers and counselors can help you get strong letters of recommendation.

Research colleges and target your applications: It’s essential to research colleges and find ones that fit you well. This could include looking at location, size, academic programs, and campus culture. You can increase your chances of getting accepted by targeting your applications to colleges that are a good fit.

Write strong essays: Essays and personal statements are essential parts of the college application process. Take the time to write thoughtful, well-written articles that showcase your personality, strengths, and unique qualities.

Apply early: Making an early decision or taking early action can increase your chances of getting accepted to a college, as these programs tend to have higher acceptance rates.

Colleges are looking for well-rounded individuals who have strong academic performance, are involved in extracurricular activities, have community service experience, and have work experience. By focusing on these areas and ensuring that you identify what looks good on college applications, you can make yourself a more competitive candidate and increase your chances of getting into the college of your dreams.

Learn more about college by consulting with college admissions specialists like the ones found here at AdmissionSight. At AdmissionSight, we have over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process to get accepted to the top universities in the world. Feel free to set up an appointment today to book your initial consultation.