Tips for Getting into Hard Colleges

I'm aiming for some hard colleges to get into, but their acceptance rates are intimidating. What strategies or tips can help boost my chances of getting accepted? Any specific advice for application essays or extracurriculars?

Applying to highly selective colleges can seem daunting, but there are certainly ways to strengthen your application and boost your chances.

When it comes to activities outside of the classroom, remember that quality trumps quantity. It's not about racking up as many extracurriculars as you can, but about demonstrating significant commitment and achievement in a few areas you are truly passionate about. Colleges use the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars to evaluate the impact of your activities. Strive for Tier 1 and Tier 2 activities, which are rarer and indicate higher levels of achievement and leadership.

As for application essays, avoiding generic or overdone topics is key. Colleges want to see authentic, individual reflections on what matters to you and how you have grown and developed as a person. It's crucial to stay away from generic stories like overcoming a sports injury, an immigrant's journey, or working hard in a challenging class. These topics can still be used, but you have to make sure your perspective is unique and personal.

For instance, instead of writing about how your sports team overcame the odds and won the championship, you might focus on how being part of a diverse team taught you about the importance of different perspectives in reaching a common goal. On the other hand, instead of writing a cliched immigrant story, you could discuss specific challenges faced at a cultural or personal level and how they helped shape your worldview and attitudes.

Early Decision and Early Action are also strategies that can help boost your chances, with Early Decision offering a greater increase on average. This is because you're committing to attend the school if you get in, which helps the school's yield rate. However, keep in mind that you should only choose to apply for Early Decision if you’re sure the school is your number one choice, and you've verified that the financial aid possibilities fit your family's needs by using the school's net price calculator. If you receive an inadequate financial aid award, it is possible to back out of the ED agreement.

Finally, pay careful attention to the academics in your application. Colleges consider your performance throughout high school, so it's essential to showcase consistent effort and steady improvement. Rigorous courses like APs matter more than the corresponding AP test scores.

Remember to tailor your application to each specific school by showing you've done your research and understand what makes the school unique. Be sure to use the supplemental essays to illustrate your fit with the school and department you're applying to.

Keep in mind it's just as important to find schools that are a good fit for you. Strive to build a balanced college list that includes reach, match, and safety schools to ensure a successful outcome.