Getting into your first-choice college is something that can unlock many doors and introduce you to lots of possibilities.
However, college admissions are getting more and more competitive, meaning you will have to stand out from the crowd if you are to catch the eye of your first-choice college. There are lots of different things you can do to build your credentials, though, and with a strong focus on what you want to achieve, you can find yourself attending your dream college.
Get Good Grades
Getting good grades throughout high school is the simplest way to go about getting into your first-choice college.
Keeping excellent grades up throughout all four years of high school is a unique sign of your commitment to getting into a top school, and all colleges look closely at this. Find out what top schools such as UC Berkeley gpa requirements are, and then work to exceed them.
When competition is so fierce, every grade is essential.
Take Challenging Classes
The types of classes you take can say a lot about you, so you must challenge yourself. If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes, then try to get into them and show colleges that you’ve challenged yourself during high school.
SAT/ACT
GPA isn’t everything, and your exam scores, generally SAT or ACT, will play a big part in your application.
The key here is making sure you put in the practice. This allows you to become familiar with how the exams work and improve your score. Don’t be downbeat; if you don’t get the scores you want the first time, keep working hard, and you can improve your scores the next time around.
SAT subject tests and AP tests are also great ways to show off your abilities. Some top colleges might require you to take SAT subject tests, and it’s another opportunity to show why you will make a great college student.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Colleges aren’t just looking for good greats, they want great people too. What you do outside the classroom plays into this, so make sure you’re getting involved in your community throughout your high school years.
Showing your skills in sports, music, and the arts is not only a great way to help your application, but it also gives you the potential for scholarship. Sports is big business for universities, and they will go out of their way to attract the best talent.
Spend Time on Your Application
Don’t dedicate four years of high school to getting good grades and building a great profile just to fail by not putting enough time into your application.
College applications can be time-consuming, but they are essential. When you’re writing your essay, you’ve got the opportunity to plan, reflect, write, and rewrite your essay much as you want, so make sure you make the most of it and don’t settle for something you’re not perfectly happy with.
You’re in complete control of this part of the application, so make the most of it.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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