10 Habits Of Highly Successful College Applicants
I was recently asked what it takes for a high school student to become a successful college applicant. What’s the secret to getting in — especially to highly competitive schools?
I get asked this a lot, but this time I found myself thinking about the question not in the abstract, but in relation to specific kids with whom I’ve worked. I’ve spent time teaching them, but what could they teach me about getting into college?
1. They Are Proactive About Their High School Years
All of my most successful students had one big thing in common: They took the reins and created their own learning and extra curricular experiences in high school. Success didn’t just happen to them; they went out and took charge of working toward their goals. They relied far less on extrinsic motivation provided by their parents and much more on their own intrinsic motivation. Additionally, they learned that being proactive means knowing when and how to “lean in” for opportunities (especially true for young women and introverts) and/or to ask for help if after trying on their own for some time, they’re still struggling.
2. They (Mostly) Put Academics First
Attend a live or virtual info session for pretty much any college, and one thing immediately becomes clear: The Transcript Is King™. It’s the most important thing admissions officers look at when making decisions.
3. They Develop Good Study Habits and Organizational Skills
Successful students also spend the bulk of their study and revision time on effective learning and study techniques. In particular, they use retrieval practice to bring information to mind (think active quizzing yourself vs. passive re-reading or highlighting).
4. They Commit to Something And Deepen Their Involvement
Colleges aren’t looking for a Jack- or Jill-of-All-Trades because (as the saying goes) they are masters of none. Instead, colleges want students who are truly interested in something specific and demonstrate that interest by striving for excellence.
5. They Are Curious, Insatiable Learners
Successful students — and, by extension, successful college applicants — really want to learn more about the world around them. They know that learning isn’t confined to the classroom, but happens everywhere.
6. They Are Leaders Who Forge Their Own Paths
You don’t want to choose your extra-curricular activities with the sole purpose of trying to figure out what admissions people will want to see. Be unique!
7. They Build Personal Relationships
Teacher and counselor recommendations are crucial parts of the college application. The difference between a good recommendation letter and a great one often comes down to you getting to know your teachers and/or counselor outside of the classroom — especially if you are an introvert or don’t participate much in class.
8. They Strive to Be Good Citizens
According to research conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), over 70% of respondents — which included 447 college admissions officers — say that positive character attributes are of moderate or considerable importance in the admissions process.
9. They Take Care of Themselves
Successful students take time to look after themselves, so they can continue to be effective, day after day, year after year.
10. When the Going Gets Tough, They Persevere
Finally, successful students are resilient and deploy deliberate, sustained effort to work through frustration when things seem too hard. It’s easy to give up on something when it’s not easy, but that path doesn’t lead to happiness — and it certainly doesn’t impress a college admissions office.
The most successful students know there is always room for growth, so they aren’t daunted by failure. They maintain a growth mindset by retiring the phrase, “I can’t do it” and embracing the phrase, “I can’t do it yet.“
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10 Habits Of Highly Successful College Applicants
