University Application

Preparing an Attractive Application

Grades and test scores are very important for your university applications. But admissions officers are looking not only for the brightest students but also for a diverse group of personalities and talents. Try to let the university know how you would contribute to this diversity by highlighting your unique talents.

What do universities look for and how can you optimize your chances for admission?

• Understand admission criteria. All universities require students to meet minimum criteria before applying. Admission requirements vary from one university to another, but all require a minimum school average and minimum scores on standardized tests.
• Work hard to know the admission requirements early so that you have time to present the strongest application possible (you can visit the website of the university).
• Exceed admission requirements: Once you know a college's minimum admission requirements, you can improve your chances for admission by exceeding the requirements.
   

What makes you a unique candidate?

• Your individuality: The things you do, places you have been to and your talents all affect your chances for college admissions. Being able to show what you have learned and how you have grown from the events in your life will definitely impress admissions personnel.
• Extracurricular activities: Universities usually prefer students who are involved in activities outside of the class. Involvement in sports, the school newsletter, academic clubs, and so on, show the admissions committee that you are a multi-talented individual. Emphasizing involvement in extracurricular activities makes for a strong application.
• Interests: Any activity that you have pursued for a long time demonstrates sustained commitment towards a goal. Admissions committees look for students who show this kind of determination.
• Personal experience: Do not overlook your personal experience when applying for a university. You may want to mention unique volunteer work you did or places you traveled to. Think about how that particular experience has shaped you. Your own experience can play a big role in your university admissions.
• Final school year: Many students mistakenly believe that preparing for college ends after eleventh grade. However, you will find that the last school year is actually of particular interest to colleges, even if you have already been accepted. Many college acceptance letters include warnings to students such as "Your admission is contingent on your continued successful performance." A college could cancel an acceptance when grades drop significantly in the last school year. Moreover, this final year can also impact your college performance and can contribute to academic problems in college.