Colleges’ admissions decisions always inspire a lot of speculation about why certain kids did or did not get in to their schools of choice. He got in because he wrote a great essay. She got denied because her test scores were too low. Unless you’re hearing those statements from the admissions officers themselves, from your high school counselor, or a good private counselor, it’s all just speculation. And you certainly shouldn’t turn your college planning upside down because your friend or neighbor claims to know what Princeton or Providence or Purdue is looking for.
So freshmen, sophomores and juniors, if you’re having trouble separating college planning truth from fiction, get back to basics with these five reminders. They are not secrets, nor are they trendy, but they all work.
1. Have you met with your high school counselor to discuss your college goals?
2. Are you taking the most challenging courses you can reasonably handle, especially in the subjects that interest you most?
3. Are you doing your best work in your classes? (If you need study skills advice, here’s a past post that might help).
4. Have you planned which standardized tests you’ll take and when to take them?
5. Are you participating in activities that you really enjoy, and working hard to make an impact?
Sure, there's more to college preparation. But very few admissions or application strategies work if you haven't gotten the basics right. When in doubt, go back to basics.