A Guide to College Admission Success

Many high school students experience a great deal of stress when it comes to applying for college. Once a student has selected their ideal university, it is important that they follow through on this decision by completing their applications in a manner that will better their chances of attending the university or college of their dreams. Following these simple steps in the application process may greatly increase your chances of getting admitted to that school that may seem just out of your reach.

1. Apply early! Really early! This may be the most critical step in advancing your possibilities of getting into your dream school. Preferably, have your application complete before the first day of your senior year of high school. That way, you can finish up the last few requirements that you may have to be in school for, and have the application sent by the second week of your fall semester.

2. Get a teacher recommendation. Even if your university or college does not require a letter of recommendation get one. And sometimes it isn't always best to go with your favorite teacher, you know the funny easy grader who let you talk sports for the last ten minutes of class? Instead, try to develop a relationship with a teacher at your school who is academically respected and who writes many recommendations a year. Colleges and universities pay great respect to a well-written letter of recommendation.

3. Write an essay. Even if your college or university doesn't require it, write one anyways. And it is very important to write your essay on something that is very important to you. If there is not a required essay, write it on a point in your life where you had to overcome adversity, or your greatest accomplishment. These are fairly standard topics that can reveal a lot which grades and test scores cannot. And remember college and university admissions staff read hundreds of these essays and can tell when a student is simply parroting something they believe will "score them points." Avoid writing a generic essay about your grandpa dying when you were three. Instead, write about something riveting and compelling.

4. Submit your AP scores. Even if they are below what the college or university in question will accept it lets them know you took the courses and challenged yourself academically. (Perhaps a score of a 1 or a 2 would be an exception to this rule.)

5. Finally, follow through. Make sure you do not slack off your senior year. Take some easy courses like everyone does, but continue to challenge yourself in a few topics that interest you and keep your grades up. If you are on the fence the college or university to which you are applying will probably ask you to submit your senior grades. It would be a shame if too much partying left you out. (Save it for college, anyways.)

Following these steps may just give candidates that extra advantage and provide them with the means necessary to get into that college or university they always wanted to attend.