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Before you do anything else, be sure you understand what schools are looking for. It may seem as though there’s no way to predict what college admissions teams are looking for as they review thousands of applications, but that’s not entirely true. Most colleges are looking for the same core elements, including grades, a personal essay, standardized test scores, a resume, recommendations, and interviews. Colleges are trying to create a diverse class, so don’t feel you need to excel in every area. Yale is quick to note that “every applicant brings something unique to the admissions committee table … the part of the application that carries the most weight is different from applicant to applicant.”
Focus on the pieces you can control. Maybe your transcript is not as strong as you would like — you can’t go back and change your grades, but you can work harder to ensure that your personal essay is particularly compelling. Or perhaps your SAT scores weren’t as high as you had hoped. You may be able to balance that with a stellar interview.
At the end of the day, schools are looking for students who have stood out in some way throughout the application process, and who possess the qualities and characteristics to fit in at their particular institution. The decision is ultimately theirs, but you can do your part by ensuring that your application presents you in the best, most authentic light. Do that, and there definitely will be an acceptance letter in your future.
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