What are colleges looking for in an applicant?

I'm trying to figure out what colleges are looking for in their applicants. What qualities or traits do they value the most? Any insights would be helpful!

Hi there! Each college has its own more specific criteria, but there are some qualities that most colleges generally look for in prospective students. Here are a few:

1. Academic achievements: Colleges evaluate applicants' academic performance, including GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores. They're particularly interested in seeing a strong performance in challenging courses and growth over time, as those things speak to your ability to both hit the ground running and take full advantage of the new opportunities that will be available to you in college.

2. Extracurricular involvement: Admissions officers want to see that you're a well-rounded individual who's engaged in activities outside the classroom, such as clubs, sports, community service, or leadership roles. The whole point of the residential college experience is that you learn from living with your peers, not just in class, so admissions officers want to see that you're ready to contribute to your freshman floor, dining hall discussions, and club meetings, as well as in the classroom

3. Personal qualities: Admissions officers look for traits that speak to your potential to be an engaged, considerate member of their campus community, such as resilience, curiosity, and the ability to work well in diverse teams. Your essays and recommendation letters can help you showcase these qualities.

4. Interest in the college: Many colleges look for demonstrated interest, which shows that you've done your research and have a genuine connection to their campus. Attending college visits, engaging with admissions officers, and writing strong 'Why This College?' essays can help demonstrate your interest.

Every college is different, so keep in mind that individual institutions may prioritize some qualities more than others, but hopefully this list gives you an initial sense of what schools are looking for. Good luck with your applications!