Most colleges receive thousands and thousands of applications every year, which means that getting a place can be very competitive. That’s why you want to ensure you give yourself every advantage when it comes to your application.
In order to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to showcase your achievements and convince the admissions team that you’re perfect for the course. A big part of this is having a genuine passion for your chosen subject, but that’s not enough alone. Here are four additional skills you should work on to maximize your chances of getting accepted to your dream college.
1. Organization
Being well organized will not only make applying to college much easier, it’s also a key attribute for success once you get there. Figure out a system that helps you stay on top of factors such as application deadlines and test or interview dates.
Plus, starting early gives you more time to work on your application until it’s perfect and reduces the amount of stress you feel during the process because you’ll know everything is in order and nothing has been forgotten. In addition, having strong organizational skills will assist you in acing your exams and admissions tests because you’ll be able to craft a more effective revision schedule.
2. Academics
Your grades are one of the most important factors when it comes to college admissions, so your academic skills are a crucial factor to work on. Study hard in all of your classes in order to keep your GPA at the level it needs to be (or higher!) for your chosen colleges.
If you’re not sure where you can apply with your current scores, check out CampusReel’s college acceptance calculator for an idea of your chances at different institutions. Also, for those who are struggling in a certain area, hiring a tutor or asking teachers for extra help can be a great tactic.
3. Writing
Writing is a hugely important skill for college. This is true even if you’re planning on studying a subject such as math, which people often don’t think of as being essay-based. Every course will involve writing in some form, and you’ll need a stellar personal statement to get accepted into a top program.
Don’t worry if your writing skills are not currently up to scratch, as this is a talent you can definitely improve with practice. In addition, be sure to get a friend or family member to proofread your personal statement and check for grammar mistakes or typos you may have missed before you submit it.
4. Research
Research skills are vital for doing well in college assignments, essays, and exams. They also help with your application because you can highlight to the admissions team that you’ve thoroughly researched the program and college you’re applying to.
This shows that you have a genuine interest in both and also enables you to prove that you’re a suitable candidate. Luckily, these days you can do lots of high-quality research from the comfort of your own home thanks to the internet, so there’s no excuse not to work on these particular skills!