What are colleges really looking for?

What are the Most Important Factors in College Admissions?

• Grades in college prep courses.
• Strength of curriculum.
• Admission test scores.
• Grades in all courses.
• Extracurricular commitment.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Essay or writing sample.
• Demonstrated interest.

Can you access old college applications?

Submitted applications and recommendation forms are not saved from year to year. However, you can always roll your account over if you would like to apply again. Please note that some information, like school-specific questions and recommendations, will not roll over.

Do common app accounts get deleted?

Your account won’t be deleted. When the new application is available on August 1, you will be able to roll over your information.

Are varsity letters good for college?

Absolutely! Colleges value a student’s ability and commitment to athletics, especially while maintaining an otherwise strong resume of grades/test scores/other activities. Even if you are not recruitable, it’s always worth writing in any substantial sports participation.

Can I look at my old common app?

In order to log in to a previously created account, you must have logged in sometime between August 1, 2019 and July 28, 2020. Otherwise, your account is no longer available.

What sport looks best on a college application?

Athletic Participation Participating in sports shows colleges that you have a strong sense of commitment and that you’re willing to work hard to achieve your goals. Playing team sports, such as football or basketball, also lets colleges know that you’ve been able to function as part of a team.

Who can see my common app?

You can allow your counselor to see a PDF preview of your in-progress application. Under their name, you can click on the ‘Enable Preview’ button to grant them preview access. Please note that a Counselor cannot edit or change your application in any way; they may only see the answers you have provided.

Can you lie on college applications?

There are tons of stories of people who did lie on their application, got caught, and then their admission was revoked. Lying on your application is never a good idea. It is impossible for the college admission staff to fact-check everything. They are trusting that you are doing the right thing and not lying.

Are college applications public record?

Every state has a public-records law requiring state and local government agencies – including public schools and colleges (though not private ones) – to disclose upon request the documents they maintain.

How do you stand out in college admissions?

10 ways to make your college applications stand out

1. Make your essays vivid.
2. Manage your online presence.
3. Buddy up with your regional admissions rep.
4. Check in regularly with admissions — it works in your favor.
5. Show that you’ve done your research.
6. If you can’t visit, reach out to student leaders.
7. Include supplemental materials that demonstrate your hobbies and passions.

Do colleges look at your school record?

Even though there is such a thing as a record that includes your disciplinary history, most colleges don’t ask for this record. Instead, colleges ask for your transcript, which includes information about your academic performance such as grades, GPA, class rank, and sometimes even test scores.

Does early release affect GPA?

No, early release is not going to make you look bad if you have shown rigorous coursework throughout HS.