Thank you in advance for reading the following article reviewing some of the
more common requirements for college admissions. Please share your thoughts with
some comments at the end.

The Trials of College Admission

Entrance requirements at colleges vary
widely. While some schools are stricter than others, even colleges with open
admissions policies will check out a student’s record. Here are some tips to
consider when your child is applying for college.
Of course, the first place
any college will start is a student’s high school record. Most important is the
overall classroom performance. Honors classes and college-prep courses will be
looked upon more favorably than electives. Colleges require all of the main
subjects to be covered, and they will deny students if their classes are
imbalanced. Your GPA is important, but your class work must be challenging.
Also, students taking easy classes tend to score lower on admissions
exams.
Most schools look for four years of English, three years of
mathematics, three years each natural sciences and three years of social
sciences. Some colleges also require other subjects such as foreign language and
fine arts. Check for information on requirements with the schools your son or
daughter is considering.
Standardized test scores are another measure of
academic ability. Test scores on the SAT or ACT are analyzed. These are combined
with general academic achievement to help colleges choose which students to
accept. Also, certain sections of these tests will aid in course placement. For
example, English majors will want to have stellar verbal and written scores. If
these scores are lacking, a different major will probably have to be
chosen.
Admissions interviews and essays are another factor in the admissions
process. When writing an admissions essay, don’t let your son or daughter
overuse their thesaurus. It makes the essay sound contrived. Be interesting, and
keep the attention of the reader. Also, use concrete images. For example, don’t
say that you “learned something.” Write a specific example of what was learned.
Don’t write a mess of words just to use up space. Be concise and direct. Avoid
slang. And, most importantly, make sure that the question is answered. There’s
nothing worse than a whole lot of text rambling without saying anything.
In
an admissions interview, other factors come into play. Promptness is one of the
first steps toward a successful interview. Also, be sure that your student
dresses to impress. Formal clothes are overkill, but jeans and a t-shirt are
inappropriate. Interviewers demand respect, so make sure that your son or
daughter greets them by name and title. If a tour of the college is given, the
student should greet every faculty member with courtesy and a smile.
When in
a room, a student shouldn’t take a seat until it is requested. An admissions
interview is like a job interview. It’s a chance for the prospect to sell
themselves by stressing achievements and asking insightful questions. Body
language and posture are important, as is focus. Drifting off during the
interview is surefire way to ruin it, as is a general lack of respect. When the
interview is over, it’s important to continue the respect with a handshake and
polite thanks.
College admission is a quest.
Throughout all the tests and interviews, encourage your teenager to keep focused
on the positive. Colleges are looking for the brightest and have only your
student’s best interests in mind.

About the Author:

Michael Fleischner is the Managing Director of EssayEdge.com and a marketing expert
with more than 12 years of professional experience. He has appeared on The TODAY
Show, Bloomberg Radio, and other major media. For help with your college application
essay or personal statement visit http://www.essayedge.com

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