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Your high school transcript says a lot about who you are as a student. Beyond the letter grades, your transcript demonstrates your ability to take advantage of your school’s opportunities and explore your academic interests. Do you challenge yourself? Do you step out of your comfort zone? Admissions officers want to know what you’re bringing to the table, and what kind of student you’ll be in college.
Read MoreLooking for a unique education experience? If you’re trying to find a sure-fire way to prepare for college and get out of your comfort zone, the IB diploma program might be a good fit for you.
Read MoreA: Your GPA is just one factor among a dozen or so colleges use to evaluate applicants. In many ways, I view course rigor and other academic indicators as important, if not more important, than having an incredibly high GPA (3.75+). Still, GPA does matter in the long run.
Read MoreIt’s still early. You don’t need to create your dream college list or polish up your resume just yet. In your 9th and 10th grade year, you should be focusing on your studies, getting involved in extracurricular activities, and setting up healthy habits to carry you through the next few years.
Read MoreAs a 9th or 10th grader, it can feel like it’s too early in the game to start worrying about the actual process of applying to college. And you’re right. Your goal in the first two years of high school should really be to lay the foundation for success--focus on doing your best in school and finding the extracurricular activities that you enjoy--so you can develop your interests and grow as a student.
Read MoreAs an experienced admissions file reader, there are some basic guidelines I would give any applicant, that if followed, would make their application profile more competitive for top schools, like the Ivies.
Read MoreLike your college essay, letters of recommendation allow admissions counselors to gain a better sense of who you are. While your SAT scores and grades give an idea of your academic capabilities, your recommenders can speak to your personality, your work ethic, and what you might bring to the campus culture.
Read MoreWhen applying for college, you’ll most likely need to include one to two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher with your application. Colleges use these letters of recommendation to understand the whole student as a part of the holistic review process. Letters of recommendation allow admissions officers to learn more about your personal background, values, and interests by getting a unique perspective from someone who knows you well.
Read MoreI’m a Junior right now and trying to figure out what classes I want to have next year. I’m thinking about taking an extra elective next year, instead of Physics because I hate science and would rather do something, I enjoy my Senior year. How important is it for me to take Physics if I want to get into T20 schools like Cornell, Stanford, and Columbia?
Read MoreAlmost all colleges and universities consider course rigor, or course difficulty, as part of the process for assessing candidates who apply for undergraduate admissions. So, when you choose courses in high school, keep in mind that a high level of course rigor will both prepare you to succeed in college as well as position you as a competitive applicant when applying to college. Overall, applicants for admissions at top colleges should strive to complete a somewhat rigorous high school curriculum as it demonstrates to admissions staff that you are willing to put in the effort. Here’s a brief guide for what colleges consider exceptional, strong, good, marginal, and weak college prep curriculum.
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