Getting Into the College of Your Choice
By Lee Nelson
You finally found the college of your dreams. But do you meet their requirements and their specifications of what their looking for in an ideal candidate?
(I’m sorry – it’s too cheesy) You just might. Make sure that college knows all about you and your talents through your transcripts, essay, interview, ACT or SAT scores, and your extracurricular activity list.
Not every college wants the same kind of student. Even if all your requirements aren’t quite up to par, remember that some college admissions look for quality students – not just brainy ones.
Midwest Colleges a Little Different in Their Student Quests
Carol Williamson, dean of admissions at Central College, Pella, Iowa, believes there exists a disconnect of what Midwest parents read and hear in the national media about college admissions compared to what is really happening. Some of those reports have little to do with Midwest colleges, she said.
“At Central and at many of the small schools, we look at several factors in looking at our admissions decisions. We look at things more individually.”
For example, if a student had a bad freshman year in high school but pulled their grades up considerably, they take that into consideration.
“We look at all that they are involved in, from athletics to church to the community. At Central, we want them to find the best institution where they will find the best opportunity to grow and be the best they can be,” she said.
“That’s not the philosophy on the East Coast or West. They just read the applications and find who they want to come to their school.”
Williamson added that many private colleges ask for basically the same thing – a college preparatory curriculum in high school (recommending four years of English; two or more years of math, including algebra and geometry; three or more years of social students including American history; two or more years of a lab science; and two or more years of a foreign language). They do ask that a prospective student have an ACT score of 19 or above and be in the top 50 percent of their high school class.
Some colleges have stricter requirements. It varies from place to place, and can be very tough if a student is thinking about pre-medicine or another specified major. And when you look at the students that make up certain schools, it can be overwhelming for an average student. For instance, the ACT composite score of students at University of Chicago is between 28 and32. And plenty of those students come there with a perfect ACT score and the perfect 4.0 grade point average.
“The days when college recruiters looked for well-rounded students are over,” said Mark Sklarow, executive director of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). “Instead, colleges are looking for students who stand out above their peers in one or two areas.”
IECA consultants advise students to take control of the situation by making sure the college knows everything that might move them from “almost” status to accepted.
They tell the student:
1. To let the school know your interest and why you still think you are a great candidate for them. Let them know you will definitely attend should an offer be made (but don’t say it unless you mean it).
2. To send any updated references, activities and awards – anything that will assure the college you deserve to be admitted.
3. That being wait-listed means they already know you meet their basic academic requirements. Give them a better sense of who you are as a person – how you will contribute to campus life. Consider a new reference that can speak to this side of who you are.
4. To keep your grades up and make sure the college receives your most recent grade reports. If you were smart about taking challenging senior-year courses, here is the chance to demonstrate that you can handle the work.
5. To visit the campus and request an interview if you did not already do so. Offer to interview again and try to speak with a person who has a say in the college’s decision.
“Be sure to be proud of what you have already achieved,” Sklarow adds. “For many competitive colleges, the vast majority of applicants are rejected outright. Being wait-listed is a great achievement and should be celebrated.”
It’s all about the Individual
When admissions counselors at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill., look through applications, they look for something a little different.
“Just like any school across the Midwest, we look for a strong academic record and strong recommendations,” said Diane Kanney, director of admission for college relations.
“But we are looking for personal characteristics that show us that person has a passion. A passion for something – whether it be for athletics, community service, church, student government or something else – is important to us.”
She added that at Lake Forest, there are a lot of variables as to why they select a certain student. Being involved in many things is not exactly what they are looking for in a student.
“We want dedication and commitment instead of involvement. Things such as planning the prom instead of being involved in 10 different organizations show us a level of commitment and leadership.”
They do consider ACT and SAT scores, but a one-day test is not a great reflection on how a student will be on campus. “Their grade-point average is a much better reflection,” she added.
She suggests that even eighth-graders considering college should start to set themselves apart at an early age. Find a niche -- whether it be in playing basketball; helping out at the nearby senior center; or learning to be a photographer. Find mentors and be willing to go the extra mile it takes to learn a skill.
“Very early on in middle school or high school, you can define and set a program in place, and experience what you want to experience,” said Kanney.
Here are a few examples of what particular institutions are looking for in their overall admission requirements (but remember that most colleges look at individual accomplishments, and there are exceptions to every rule!)
Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill. – Private. ACT 20-21, 3.0 GPA, top 50 percent of class.
DePaul University, Chicago – Private. ACT 24.
Iowa State University, Ames – State college. Top 50 percent of class.
Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa – Private. ACT 20 and 2.5 GPA.
Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Ill. – Private. Balanced student.
University of Wisconsin/Madison – State college. High school diploma or GED. Submission of ACT or SAT score required.
