How to Get into College

There are hundreds of websites that will give you a step by step guide for how to get into college. Most of these websites offer general steps that are very true to the necessary process. The information they provide is something like:

STEP ONE:

Get a high GPA. This is a given if you want to attend a top college. Higher grades will get you noticed by admissions officers, and a good GPA will qualify you for many merit based scholarships. This is fundamental. You need to study, you need to excel at your classes, and you need to have good grades in order to attract the attention of the best colleges. The good news is that all that work that you have been putting in is about to pay off.

STEP TWO:

Get high scores on your standardized tests. Whether it’s the SAT or the ACT or even your SAT subject tests, scoring in the top percentiles on your standardized tests will keep you in the running and help you get into college. Scholarships also look at these scores sometimes for consideration. Getting a good study program for these tests and working to achieve your best score will qualify you for consideration at top colleges. With ever higher median test scores at the top-ranking schools, staying on top of this preparation is a must.

STEP THREE:

Take advanced or AP courses. Admissions officers will look at the difficulty of your classes when they are trying to determine if you will be able to handle difficult college level classes. Advanced or AP classes are a good way to show your ability to handle the stresses of college. More specifically, NOT taking these classes if they are available at your school could be a big red flag on an otherwise excellent application.

STEP FOUR:

Join extracurricular activities. Everyone knows that being involved in something outside your classes will help you rank well in the eyes of the admissions officers. One of the basic tenets of the “how to get into college” sites is that you have to showcase your leadership and interests and be a "well rounded person."