If you're like me, you waited until the last minute before worrying about college. Luckily, I pulled it off - getting accepted at Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and a few other schools. There are some tricks to make this happen - but that's for another article.
Here, I'd like to talk about what you can do when you're a freshman or sophomore. When you have a lot of time to plan and work hard. My time as an Admissions Officer really showed me the difference between those that plan ahead, and those that don't make the grade.
1) Make sure you have a good GPA and SAT score. Take every AP-level class and test that you can - and get 4s and 5s. Princeton expects you to challenge yourself at the highest academic levels, over and over
2) Participate in several clubs, and focus on leadership. But don't just be President - do unique, new things with the clubs (holding conferences, partnering with area schools, entering competitions, etc)
3) Sports and music are helpful - they show specific passions and interests
4) You need to think about NATIONAL and/or INTERNATIONAL awards, prizes, and scholarships to distinguish yourself in this competitive environment. Admissions is simply too competitive to only win local or state honors
Make sure your accomplishments and experiences tell a STORY ABOUT YOUR LIFE. Admissions committees want to know that you have clear interests, clear goals in life, and all those things are reflected by your essays, recs, and experiences
Rejections happen because applicants do a little of everything, and nothing truly well. They're not DISTINCTIVE in anything they do - and they don't get into Harvard or Stanford because they don't have a story.
Always value depth of success over breadth.
Follow this advice, and you'll have a great shot. Please don't forget - 50% of your success is hard work. The other 50% is crafting the right application, so don't forget about TELLING A STORY.
Here, I'd like to talk about what you can do when you're a freshman or sophomore. When you have a lot of time to plan and work hard. My time as an Admissions Officer really showed me the difference between those that plan ahead, and those that don't make the grade.
1) Make sure you have a good GPA and SAT score. Take every AP-level class and test that you can - and get 4s and 5s. Princeton expects you to challenge yourself at the highest academic levels, over and over
2) Participate in several clubs, and focus on leadership. But don't just be President - do unique, new things with the clubs (holding conferences, partnering with area schools, entering competitions, etc)
3) Sports and music are helpful - they show specific passions and interests
4) You need to think about NATIONAL and/or INTERNATIONAL awards, prizes, and scholarships to distinguish yourself in this competitive environment. Admissions is simply too competitive to only win local or state honors
Make sure your accomplishments and experiences tell a STORY ABOUT YOUR LIFE. Admissions committees want to know that you have clear interests, clear goals in life, and all those things are reflected by your essays, recs, and experiences
Rejections happen because applicants do a little of everything, and nothing truly well. They're not DISTINCTIVE in anything they do - and they don't get into Harvard or Stanford because they don't have a story.
Always value depth of success over breadth.
Follow this advice, and you'll have a great shot. Please don't forget - 50% of your success is hard work. The other 50% is crafting the right application, so don't forget about TELLING A STORY.
About the Author:
Have an average GPA? Low SAT score? Hopeless To Harvard is an insider's account of how a B+ student got into Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. Click here to learn how any smart high school student can get into an Ivy League school. Get into Harvard now!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment