Got Deferred? What Seniors Can Do in the Meantime

 Just this week, a US News report released 6 tips to stand out to college admissions committees. Contributor Margaret Loftus interviewed a former Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth College (turned private counselor) Maria Laskaris to offer tangible suggestions to make your application stand out.

Highlight your Academic Strengths:

-       Show that you’ve done well in your current high school curricula

-       Reviewers will consider the rigor of your academic courses—have you taken advantage of IB curriculum or AP courses at your high school? Experts weigh in that advanced courses pay off: “We’d prefer to see students challenge themselves to get a B in AP or honors courses rather than an A in a standard-level course” (David Kaiser, Director of Undergraduate Enrollment Management, Temple University).

-       Grades throughout senior year are demonstrative of continued growth and dedication all the way to the finish line.

-       Beginning in the summer before 9th grade, work with your school’s counselor to build a foundation that will allow for advanced coursework later on.

Tests:

-       Consult individual schools about the optional SAT writing section.

-       Check out your school choices that have gone test-optional.

Off-Campus Involvement

-       Nurture your interests off campus: “Colleges look at extracurriculars in the context of a student’s environment—it’s a combination of what you can afford and what you’re passionate about” (Craig Meister, Director of College Counseling, Oxbridge Academy).

-       Admissions committees are looking for community involvement and a desire for activism (make sure you highlight these pursuits in the “activities” and “additional information” sections of the Common App).

-       Find ways to connect your interests to make contributions to your school or to your local community.

Teacher Recommendations:

-       Consult individual school’s parameters about their recommendation preferences (i.e. If you’re considering an Engineering track, asking a recent Science or Math teacher would be a viable choice).

-       Ideally, teachers that have taught you more than once—such as during freshman year and then again later on—can speak to your growth and maturity throughout high school.

-       Review last week’s blog post for more tips about how to secure the best recommendation.

Social Media Clean Up

-       Yes, really. Take 5 minutes to comb through your social media channels. Admissions counselors don’t have the time to scour every applicant’s Instagram, but they may do a simple Google search to verify a facet of your application.

Show Up:

-       If possible, tour the school. It demonstrates interest in the school’s programs and platforms.

-       Open a dialogue with local admissions reps. They want to help you! Spend a few minutes on each school’s admissions page to find out a rep in your area. Reach out, be professional, and ask questions. They want a chance to brag on their school.

-       Demonstrated interest (includes opening a college email, attending a Facebook live event, interviewing with the admissions team, or introducing yourself to a recruiter at a College Fair) plays at least some role in 70 percent of colleges’ admissions decisions (NACAC, 2018).

 For more information, check out the U.S. News Report here.