{"id":295912,"date":"2018-02-07T12:21:10","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T17:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=295912"},"modified":"2025-02-04T13:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T18:07:36","slug":"20-insider-tips-getting-dream-college-295912","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/20-insider-tips-getting-dream-college-295912\/","title":{"rendered":"Your dream college: 20 insider tips for getting in"},"content":{"rendered":"

How can you get into your dream college?<\/h2>\n

Odds are it\u2019s a question that keeps many high schoolers up at night. Although there is no one-size-fits-all magic bullet on how to gain entry to your dream college \u2014 in part because there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all dream school\u2014we\u2019ve culled the advice of seasoned admissions professionals from the University of Rochester for a roadmap of what to do\u2014and what really, really (did we say really?) to avoid.<\/p>\n

Courses and grades: It\u2019s true. They really do matter most for getting into your dream college. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

First off the bat\u2014grades (and in many places, test scores) matter greatly when applying to your dream college. \u201cYour academic success in high school is going to be a great predictor of your academic success in college,\u201d confirms Kim Cragg<\/a>, the University\u2019s West Coast regional associate director of admissions. Rigor is important. Colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself and not simply collected the easy A\u2019s. Picking enough Advanced Placement (AP) classes is important.<\/p>\n

Extracurriculars: Avoid the \u201claundry list\u201d <\/strong><\/h3>\n

If your dream institution is a highly selective college, it\u2019s safe to assume that most who apply come with a high level academic preparedness, says Jason Nevinger<\/a>, the University\u2019s director of admissions. That\u2019s where your extracurricular activities come in.<\/p>\n

But beware of a long laundry list. Explain how you contributed to the success or the creation of a particular association, how deeply you really got involved. Show them which opportunities you pursued to do things that are meaningful to you.\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s no wrong club to be in,\u201d assures Nevinger.<\/p>\n

Above all, many admission officers want to see how a student contributes to his community, or within her school. \u201cIt is who they are as individuals, how they communicate, and how they interact with people. That really tips the scale in favor of one student over another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dream college admissions essays: Make them authentic <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Does the prospect of having to write a college admissions essay give you heart palpitations? You\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s hard to come up with something the pros haven\u2019t read before. Focus instead on your own perspective on things, counsels Cragg.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’re writing about something that you really care about, and show us your perspective\u2014that’s going to be easier to connect with as a reader than just writing what you think we want to hear,\u201d Cragg says.<\/p>\n

For example, one student wrote about his daily commute to school, which involved a long car ride and detailed how he valued the time spent on meaningful conversations with his mother. Cragg was impressed by his insights.<\/p>\n

What else do dream schools care about? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

It depends on the school. That\u2019s why you want to do your research. Every university has admissions counselors who will tell (if asked) what they value most. Many even have a section on their website titled \u201cwhat we look for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Listen here for more tips on how to get into your dream college. University of Rochester admissions directors Jason Nevinger and Kim Cragg spill the beans with Quadcast host Sandra Knispel.<\/em><\/p>\n