Six Simple Ways to Give Your Student a College Admissions "Edge"

If you're the parent of a high school sophomore, junior, or senior, you're no doubt doing all the right things to help your student succeed: SAT/ACT prep? Check. Math, Spanish, or Physics tutor? Check. AP classes? You bet. Then there's the community service, after school activities, part-time job, etc.

So what additional steps can you and your student take to give him or her that all important college admissions edge? Plenty. Here are some simple ways to start:

1. Commit early. Your daughter visits a school and realizes it's THE perfect place for her. She gets a warm, homey feeling walking across the quad, it offers a double major in the subjects she's most passionate about, and she can visualize herself taking her place among the other students. Because schools' selectivity rankings are based on what percentage of accepted students actually enroll, it's to your child's benefit to let the school know that if accepted, she'll most definitely attend. Consider applying early action (non-binding) or early decision (binding). Kids who apply early do get preferential treatment; they enjoy a much higher acceptance rate than those in the general application pool, so it's a definite edge, if your child has a clear-cut first choice school.

2. Ace the interview. While most schools say that prospective student interviews aren't necessary (or even encouraged, in the case of larger institutions), if your son has his heart set on attending a particular school, it will be to his benefit if he connects with someone in power at the school-specifically an admissions counselor and/or a dean. Have the student call or e-mail the dean of the school he's interested in and ask for a personal interview. Try to schedule an interview with an admissions rep for the same day.

It goes without saying that your student should do his homework before any interview, spending lots of time on the college's website and even Googling the interviewer ahead of time. He should prepare a list of intelligent questions and put together 4 or 5 talking points so that he'll be able to clearly explain why he'll be an asset to the college if they accept him. Since he will almost certainly be asked two questions: "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to attend our school?" he should be prepared to answer intelligently. It's perfectly fine to bring a small notepad into the interview so that he will be able to refer to his notes and ensure he covers all of his major points.

If your student impresses the interviewer, he or she will put a note to that effect in the student's admissions file-and who knows? It just might help counterbalance that "C" in physics during junior year.

3. Network, network, network. Go on the school's website and identify the rep for your region. Have your student contact him or her and convey the student's interest in the school. Try to arrange a meeting with the rep, either privately (preferably) or at your high school college night. Have your student keep in touch with the rep via e-mail and/or phone; he or she does have input into the admission process. If your son or daughter stands out, the rep can put a complimentary note in the admissions file.

Talk to your friends, relatives, and business associates-is anyone an alumnus of your child's college of choice? Do they know anyone involved in the admissions process? Can they write a letter of recommendation for your child? At the very least, can they give your child any insights about the school?

You and your child should visit the school's website regularly. Stay on top of what's happening on campus. Did the dean with whom your child interviewed participate in a forum or publish a book? Did a public figure give a speech on campus? Is there a news item that relates to a discussion your child had with the dean or college rep during the interview? All of these offer valid opportunities for your child to keep in touch with the people who can help boost his admissions prospects.

4. Show some appreciation. Does your child know how to write a proper thank-you note? If not, he'd better learn. (If he needs guidance, there are plenty of books available on social etiquette). Whom should he thank? Anyone who helps him in any way: every teacher or guidance counselor who writes him a letter of recommendation. Everyone who grants him an interview. Any person who takes time to meet with him to offer guidance and advice. Colleges place these notes in the student's file, and while it won't make or break any application, it does put him in the "class act" category. It's also a good life lesson that will serve him well when he enters the job market. By the way, neither texting nor e-mail is appropriate here. Buy some classic blank notes and stamps and keep them on hand. Notes should be short and, if for an interview, should reference some topic from the discussion.

5. Dress for success. When my son arrived for his interview with the dean of the school of his choice, he wore nicely pressed pants, shirt and tie, and a blue sports jacket-not his usual daily get-up as a high school senior. The shorts and t-shirt garbed student who was working the desk outside the dean's office remarked to him, "You're smart-some kids come here dressed like me-and that doesn't go over so well!" An interview with a dean or other college rep is just like a job interview. Once you get the job (or letter of acceptance) you can dress like the workers or students. But until you're accepted you have to dress to impress.

6. Brush up on etiquette. It's just a fact of early 21st century life: kids today communicate more on Facebook than they do face to face. They're great kids, but their social skills aren't always what they should be. A good way to practice basic "meet and greet" skills is to attend your high school's college night, even as early as freshman or sophomore year. Your child can practice the basics: how to introduce himself, shake hands, make eye contact, etc. Teens often feel awkward in these social situations, but like any other skill, practice does make perfect. So make a point of introducing your child to adults as the opportunities arise so that he or she can gain experience with adult social situations. Some universities actually offer business etiquette programs for their graduating seniors about to enter the workforce. By making sure your teen conquers the social graces now, you'll give him or her a big leg up on the competition later on.