The new wave in college admissions

March 16, 2012 - PRLog -- What you need to know about the new wave in college admissions

The pressure to get into the right college has been around forever. But with the new age of the internet and alternative approaches to education, colleges and universities are changing the way they handle admissions.

So, what may have changed since your parents applied to college? Well:
1.      Colleges look closely at social media– 25% of schools in 2009 stated they used social media to review applicants before determining admissions. Even after you’ve submitted your application, it can’t hurt to review—and maybe “clean up”—your online persona! Your Facebook profile and Twitter account might seem like sites only your friends are visiting … but it can’t hurt to make sure you’re presenting a side of yourself that you’d be proud to show to a college admissions officer.

2.      It’s the overall picture that’s important– While colleges and universities are still looking at grades and standardized test scores for admissions decisions, the “overall picture” has become more important than ever before. Make sure you stand out in ways other than a stellar GPA.

3.      Student interest a factor – With long waiting lists at many schools, a student’s serious interest in attending that specific school can now play a vital role. A college will be more inclined to accept a student who shows a genuine interest their specific programs—perhaps the school is known for a superb engineering program, or for a top-tier art major. Do your research—and when you find a place that speaks to you, mention specifically why you’re drawn to that college in your application!

4.      Recommendations don’t hold the weight they use to – Many high school teachers are now overwhelmed with requests for college recommendations. Colleges and universities are therefore receiving recommendations that are less specific than they once were—so this part of the application has become less important to a school than other factors. But don’t take this as advice to blow off the recommendations; if anything, you should be asking your teachers for letters earlier on, in hopes that they might have enough advance notice to write you something more than a form letter.

5.      The facts are what matter – More colleges and universities are cracking down on false applications. With measures in place to check the facts and audit essays for plagiarism, it’s easier than ever for admissions offices to weed out the students who thought they could blow off the hard work of the applications—and, likewise, to identify the students who will really stand out and be successful. This seems like silly advice, but: please, don’t lie about your accomplishments, goals, grades, or test scores on your applications!

Applying to college will always be stressful, but knowing the trends in college admissions—and the pitfalls to avoid—can cut down on that stress a lot! When you start the college admissions process, just remember: it’s important to be smart, but it’s more important to be yourself.

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Ellen Richards Educational Services is dedicated to achieving the highest academic potential of our clients. We provide customized and intensive educational support. http://www.ellenrichardseducationalservices.com