In this day and age getting into the most selective colleges like Cambridge, Harvard and MIT will take more than good grades. What colleges look for has changed dramatically in the past few decades and the focus has shifted to more well-rounded criteria such as the one Harvard uses. But even with the best attributes, recommendations, and grades it doesn’t guarantee that you will get in.
There are three areas of focus that you should be working to improve throughout their high school career.
The first area to focus on is high school grades. Although schools like Harvard College don’t necessarily have a rigid set of rules for what you take, it will leave them impressed if you take the most stringent classes that include AP courses and Dual Credit. You can usually check in with your counselor to get into any of these classes and when you choose your schedule make sure you add them. That’s what colleges look for in students who want to attend their school especially selective ones.
The second area that needs attention is community involvement. The way you impact your community is important to meet the criteria used by colleges many times. Simply having good grades isn’t enough to get you in but with additional attributes, and positions of leadership you will increase your chances. It’s not hard to find organizations within and outside of your school. I would suggest that you take a new direction in how you see community involvement. Many times students do things because it looks good on their college application but they completely miss out on opportunities because they are not genuinely helping. Plus, it’s a more rewarding to know you’re making a difference in other peoples’ lives.
The third aspect to concentrate on is your scoring on either of the college entrance exams. The two options available to you are the SAT test and the ACT test which are different in various ways. Both exams require that you study if want to do well on them. Get familiar with the format and practice, practice, practice. Try and get together with some friends and take timed tests so studying isn’t too boring.
The last part of your high school profile that can work to your advantage are the letters of recommendation from staff and other community leaders. Harvard Office of Admissions gives a clue to improving your chances by having your letters written by “Teachers who know the applicant well and who have taught him or her in academic subjects (preferably in the final two years of secondary school) most often provide us with the most valuable testimony.” That’s what colleges look for. If you have any other suggestions please leave a comment.
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