Applying to Highly Selective Colleges: A Guide to Success

Highly selective colleges have rigorous admissions processes that require thoughtful planning and preparation. Here are some key facts to keep in mind:

Application deadlines typically range from November 1st to January 1st. Take note of which schools offer Early Decision (ED1/ED2) opportunities which are binding agreements to attend their university if admitted and often offer an admissions boost. At some Ivy League schools, applying Early Decision can double (or triple!) your chances of being admitted. Just make sure you’ve done your homework on the school to ensure that it is the best fit for you.

Standardized tests (SAT, ACT) are often required, but some colleges may offer test-optional options. More and more universities are bringing back pre-Covid testing policies and several highly selective schools such as Yale, MIT and Harvard are back to requiring standardized tests. Plan accordingly and begin test preparation in winter of your junior year, so that you can sit for the ACT or SAT a couple of times before applications are due.

Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or mentors can make a significant impact. Colleges prefer to hear from core academic teachers who can give insight into how you engage in the classroom, what type of student and collaborator you are, and how you stand out from your peers. In your junior year, consider which two core teachers you might ask to serve as your recommenders.

Institutional priorities can also play a role in the selection process at highly selective schools. These priorities can be influenced by the school’s mission, history, and values, which can affect who gets in and why in any given year. A student’s location, demographics, major, special talent, even influential relatives can play a role in which priorities sway a decision from year to year.

To build a strong application, focus on showcasing your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal growth. Here are some tips:

Take challenging courses in your desired major or field. Highly selective universities are used to selecting from the cream of the crop. They expect to see that you’ve challenged yourself within the context of your high school whether that means taking advantage of advanced courses like IB, AP or Honors or perhaps taking dual enrollment courses if offered at your school. Make school and earning top grades your biggest priority because you’ll be applying against other valedictorians from around the world.

Highlight leadership roles and achievements in extracurricular activities. Your activities and achievements give colleges an idea of what kind of involvement and skills you may bring to their community. Colleges are looking to create a well-balanced class which means they want diversity to be represented amongst their student body which includes diversity of interests.

Write effective essays that showcase your personality and passions. Your essay is perhaps the most personal part of your application and allows you to share aspects of yourself that aren’t included in other parts of your application. Instead of repeating details that are included elsewhere in your application, take the time to share about your core values, your goals, and what makes you unique!

To stand out in a competitive applicant pool, focus on developing a unique personal brand or passion project. Here are some ideas:

• Develop a talent or skill that showcases your creativity.
• Start a community service project or volunteer regularly.
• Highlight entrepreneurial or leadership skills.
• Think outside the box! What do you love to do? What are you good at? What problems in the world do you want to solve? Where do you see an overlap?

To avoid common mistakes, make sure to:

• Tailor your application to each college.
• Show a clear fit/match between the college and your goals/major.
• Highlight unique strengths and achievements.
• Proofread and edit your application carefully.