A great deal of information can be gleaned from analyzing data from the Common Application. This is the online application that high school students utilize to apply to more than 1,000 colleges throughout the United States, as well as to some institutions in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.
“More students are applying to more schools, while admit rates at top colleges are holding steady or shrinking,” according to Forbes. “But beyond the sheer volume of applicants lies something more important – a shift in who is applying and how they are presenting themselves.”
After analyzing data from the Common App, Forbes reported that the number of first year applicants has increased by five percent. But it’s not just the number of applicants that’s impacting the college admissions process. More significantly, it’s the diversity. The number of first-generation applicants has increased by 15%. In addition, the increase in applicants from lower income zip codes is outpacing that of students from wealthier zip codes.
College admissions officers, seeking to admit a diverse group of students regarding socioeconomic background, are looking more holistically into the life experiences of their applicants. “The applicants who stand out are the ones who reveal something deeper: a unique perspective, a personal story, a clear sense of what they’ll contribute to campus life,” reported Forbes.
It's no longer sufficient for students to have top SAT scores, an impressive GPA, and a “5” on a multitude of Advanced Placement exams. They must also share how their experiences have impacted their perspectives – in some area of life – and how they will use this introspection to better their future college community.
Students whom I have worked with have done this in a variety of ways to gain acceptance to top colleges. One student wrote an essay, and supported it with a resume full of activities, about her commitment to environmental issues and her desire to become involved in specific, relevant organizations at Georgia Tech.
Another wrote about gaining political awareness through his immediate family and then engaging with local politicians whose platforms resonated with him. He shared his dreams for political involvement at Georgetown University where he is thriving as a freshman.
Another student shared, via the Common App, her volunteer experiences at several medical centers. Having grown up in a country with socialized medicine, she was shocked that one of the greatest concerns patients vocalized to her revolved around affording their medical care. She started a non-profit organization to offset costs for a targeted group of patients, and has been accepted to a variety of elite colleges.
Students’ life stories are becoming more important than ever, as colleges seek to admit a diverse group of high-achieving applicants.
Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
No comments:
Post a Comment