While high school seniors are making final decisions about which college to attend, juniors are beginning the admissions process and are filled with questions.  As a college counselor, one of the questions I am asked most frequently by students and parents is this:  What can I do to improve my chances for college admission? 

Often people hear rumors of activities that will make a difference-volunteering through several community service organizations, traveling to assist children in developing countries, helping victims of natural disasters.  Or maybe they've heard that athletic involvement is the key to admission at selective schools because a coach can push the admissions office to see a student's ability to contribute.  Still others report of the value of musicianship, international travel, or membership in various honor societies.

Meanwhile, legacies benefit from their parents' connection to a school, and those with family friends on a college's Board of Trustees are confident in their candidacy.  Students who ace standardized tests like the SAT or ACT have it made.  And those from under-represented populations or families who can pay the full fare must have an edge, right?

While there may be some truth to these rumors, every college is different in their handlings of the above situations.  At some schools, the athlete, legacy, or naturally gifted tester may have a real advantage.  Other schools might prioritize geographic or ethnic diversity, artistic talent, or volunteerism.  A college admissions professional can let you know which schools prioritize certain talents based on current trends.  For example, in recent years, Tulane University has strongly valued community service and UNH has deemphasized the role that SATs play in their evaluation process.  However, regardless of what schools you consider, there's one sure-fire way to improve your chances at every school to which you eventually apply: earn the best grades you can in the most challenging courses you can manage.

College admissions professionals have repeated this advice over and over again:  take the most challenging curriculum that you can handle and earn the best grades you can.  Should a student take Honors or Advanced Placement classes and earn Cs or Ds in them?  Probably not.  Alternatively, should a student take easy classes and breeze through, requiring little effort?  Again the answer is no.  Instead, take courses that are challenging for you and earn good grades in those classes.

While many aspects of the college admission process are out of your control, spend your time and energy focusing on the things you can change.  You can study harder for that test.  You can choose courses carefully.  And the energy you expend to improve your grades has a direct impact on your GPA, which has a direct impact on your chances for admission.  The high school transcript is the most important part of a student's application.  Not sometimes, not occasionally, and not just at some schools-everywhere and all the time.  Invest your energy toward improving it and you'll have more college choices.

Already doing your best to earn good grades in a strong curriculum?  If so, focus on the areas mentioned earlier.  Get involved in things you enjoy, participate in your community, and do a thorough college search.  Be sure your list of schools is balanced and includes reach schools as well as target schools and places you are pretty sure will admit you.  Make sure you like all the schools on your list-not just the reach schools-and get advice from a college counseling professional who can realistically assess your chances for admission.  Write the best admissions essays you can and make sure your applications will dazzle even the toughest admissions officer. 

All these things can improve your chances for college admission, but none more so than improving your coursework and grades.  So, as the weather gets warmer and summer approaches, refocus your energies towards school.  Don't let the final quarter of the year be a struggle-put forth your best efforts in the homestretch.  Then you can focus on the rest of your application components-such as essays, resumes, and interviews-with the confidence that your transcript is the best it can be.

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