Steps for successful admission to college

Your child is filling out their college applications and soon will be going through their academic interviews.   Let’s talk about a few tips to help them avoid the dreaded rejection letter or just as bad the wait list….  Colleges even some of the “safe” schools of the past are becoming more difficult to get in because of the rise in students applying.

Many kids are not opting for their dream school and are now apply to the local schools.  However, this increase in local school applications means competition will heat up.  The University of Michigan, for example, had 29,974 applications in 2008, which was an increase of 8.5%.  This was the highest the university ever received.  However, admissions were down by 9%.  The university is trying to manage the size of the class so it will have a steady class size.

Colleges are changing their admission requirements

I’ve personally noticed that college admission statistics have changes.  Many kids are not sending their applications to the private elite school but applying to the local ones.  These kids are picking schools closer to home, and it will save on transportation costs but also they feel they school will be less expensive for their family.  However, more private schools, to compete with the lower-cost state schools, increased financial aid packages. Offering a mix of merit scholarships and aid, many expensive private colleges became as affordable, or more so, than state schools.

The result of these increase in applications, is more selective options for the universities.  This has lead to more rejections and wait listing for students.  In many cases a wait list is the same as a rejection.  The university will wait till the last minute to take them off and by this time the student had to commit to another school.  Which is very frustrating for them.

Here are some things to consider before you apply to college

Now that we are starting the big push for college applications, let’s go over a few points to help your child have a better chance at getting into the school the first time:

First, writing a good college essay.  Even if the school does not require it, I recommend writing one.   They can be a pain but in the end it can mean money from the school and acceptance.  As I write the blog post, I’m not a big writer.  There are many other things I could think of doiing….my dog is waiting for a walk and I could even go out and enjoy the sun that just came out.  However, I’ve set aside this time to write this.  What I do is block off time.  I will set aside 30 to 45 minutes to write.  I only write in that time.  Even if I’m stuck and can’t think of what to write. I just write.  I’ll then close it up and move onto something else.  I repeat this until it’s done.  Then I go back to it in a few days to revise.  I read a lot of essays.  We review them before they go into the schools.  Also, kids should go out to the college websites and see their college admission essay questions. This will allow them time to think about what to write.

Second, we have to consider the letters of recommendation.  The letters of recommendation are another important factor.  Let’s face it the popular teachers will be flooded with requests to write a letter of recommendation.  Get to them early!  Also, don’t let them just write it for you to trust they will capture your kids strong points.  Give them a resume. Preferably one tailored to the work or experience the teacher had with them.  Put also other information about your accomplishments.  This will be a great thought starter for the teacher or counselor.

Third, go on the school tour.  Sign in, letting the university know that you are interested in attending their school.  Have them interview and speak with the heads of the departments they are thinking of majoring in.  This will give them a chance to make an impression.  The heads of their departments can make a difference to entrance…especially if they get wait listed.  They can call the person up to remind them they met.  Have them write a thank you letter…because it’s just polite but also because it will put them on their mind.

Lastly, apply to between six and eight colleges.  This will give your child a broader option as to where they can go.

Follow these steps and you will have a much better chance at getting in.

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