12 TIPS FOR GETTING INTO YOUR DREAM COLLEGE

Focus on academics - t’s no secret that good grades and high test scores are of utmost importance when trying to win over college admissions committees. To help with this, take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in your strongest subjects.

Know who you are - Grades aren’t the only thing that colleges care about when considering your application, however. Schools want to know that you are a unique individual who is more than just her GPA or SAT score.

Get involved -  One of the best ways to show that you are a unique individual (and not just a number) is by getting involved in extracurricular activities. These can be any number of activities either inside or outside of school.

Practice your creative writing skills -  When writing your college admissions essays, don’t just draft an “information dump” that lists out your many achievements. Rather, craft a narrative that hooks your reader and pulls them into the story of your life.

Stand Out from the Crowd -  Many colleges have moved to accept college essays in alternative formats to the traditional form, such as video or audio documents. This kind of creativity can really help an application rise to the top of the stack.

Embrace your origin story -  If your dream school is far from home, be sure to mention in your application how your unique cultural background and experiences can contribute to the richness and diversity of their institution.

Apply early -  Another simple—yet effective—way to stand out from the crowd is to apply early to your dream school. With so many applications piling in every fall season, it’s smart to make an early impression.

Network -  College applications often require letters of recommendation. You can ask adults with whom you’ve developed meaningful relationships over the years to speak to your best qualities in such letters.

Show you care -  Demonstrate a genuine interest in your dream school by planning a campus visit, a campus tour, or even arranging an interview with someone from the admissions staff.

Diversify your dreams -  Instead of setting your sights on just one “dream” school, shift your perspective so as to consider a trio or handful of “dream” schools.

Believe in yourself -   Speaking of the competitive nature of college admissions, it’s an important reminder to stay positive and believe in yourself throughout the application process.

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