The college admissions process is full of advice, but some of the most important information is easy to miss. From choosing high school courses to comparing college costs, small decisions you make now can have a lasting impact.
Here are 20 admissions secrets every student and parent should know before applying to college.
20 Admissions Secrets Every College-Bound Student Should Know
Academics
1. Your high school transcript starts in 7th or 8th grade if you take courses for high school credit.
Are you taking Spanish, advanced math, or an elective that counts for high school credit? Colleges will see your grades, and at many high schools, these grades count towards your high school GPA. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take these types of courses, but you need to know how it can affect you and take the course seriously.
2. Dual-credit courses aren’t the magical option you think they are.
Most colleges see dual-credit courses as less rigorous than AP or IB courses. The bigger problem is that you are starting your college GPA, and you may not be ready for that responsibility. We have seen students limit their chance at getting into medical school due to poor grades in dual credit high school courses. Don’t let that be you!
3. You need to plan out your four years of high school early.
Course decisions build on one another. The class you choose in 9th grade may determine whether you can take an advanced course as a junior or senior. Look at graduation requirements, prerequisites, and the courses recommended for your potential major. You don’t need to have your entire future figured out, but you do need a plan that keeps your options open.
4. Your senior year schedule matters.
Colleges don’t just evaluate the grades you earned during your first three years of high school. They also look at your senior year course schedule. While dropping challenging courses and signing up for senior release can be tempting, it may signal that you are no longer willing to push yourself. Look at your 11th grade schedule, then try to keep 12th grade at the same level of rigor.
5. If you have a transcript with Bs and Cs, you likely aren’t going to attend an Ivy League college.
This may sound harsh, but it is reality. Do students get into Ivy League colleges with a B? Yes. Are there exceptions? Yes, but how likely are you to be one of them? This doesn’t mean you won’t attend a great college or have a successful future. It does mean your college list needs to reflect your academic record and be realistic. Focus on finding schools where you can thrive, not just schools with a name that will impress other people.
Extracurriculars
6. Parents—help your child develop goals that inspire them, then provide support.
The most meaningful activities usually stem from a student’s genuine interests. Ask your child what problems they want to solve, what they care about, and what they want to learn. Let them dream big. Then provide transportation, encouragement, and possibly financial support while allowing them to take ownership of their work.
7. Use your summers strategically but allow some time to relax.
If your child is interested in politics, medicine, engineering, or a specific career field or academic subject, help them find opportunities to explore those interests each summer. Students can also get valuable experience from working a summer job, building a personal project, or volunteering. The best summer has a mix of several different types of activities. Choose one or two meaningful goals, and leave room for rest, friends, and family. Students need time to recharge too.
8. Your “ordinary” job may be more valuable than another school club.
Some of my favorite essays have revolved around typical high school jobs—fast food servers, ice cream scoopers, retail workers. Students who have work experience can highlight responsibility, communication skills, and dedication that another club membership might not.
9. Leadership does not require a title.
Being president of a club isn’t the only way to demonstrate leadership. Can you lead the organizing for an event, show responsibility by caring for a younger sibling, or demonstrate your ability to problem-solve through group work? All of these examples highlight different types of leadership that colleges value.
College Research
10. Start visiting colleges in 9th grade.
You’re going to work really hard over the next several years of high school. It can be nice to know what you are working toward. Visiting a college can help motivate you.
You will also start to understand the learning environment that will be best for you. Your first college visits don’t require a plane ticket; find some nearby colleges and sign up for the information session and a tour. Your visits in later years will help you finalize your choices.
11. The college you have heard of isn’t necessarily the college that is best for you.
Familiarity, rankings, and prestige can cause you to overlook a great college that will provide the educational, social, and career opportunities you need for success. An experienced college counselor can help you find colleges that meet your needs and wants.
12. You should research colleges before falling in love with one.
It’s easy to fall in love with that beautiful campus, the stately library, or the college’s prestigious name. It is hard to let go of that school if you learn it was never affordable, realistic, or the right fit. Try to find a variety of schools you would love to attend, but don’t focus on one dream school.
Application and Admissions
13. Test-optional doesn’t mean that test scores don’t matter.
A strong score may still help with admission, scholarships, or honors programs. More and more colleges are returning to requiring test scores, a trend that will likely continue. Younger students should be prepared to submit a competitive test score to each college.
14. Your college essay is not a five-paragraph essay.
No thesis statement required. You also don’t need to trauma-dump, share your life’s deepest tragedy, or highlight an extraordinary accomplishment. Focus on your personality and tell a story that highlights who you are as a person.
15. Applying to more colleges can actually create more problems.
A list that is too long can lead to rushed applications, poorly written essays, missed deadlines, and decision paralysis. Aim for a balanced list of 6-10 colleges you would love to attend. When students have too many colleges on their list, we see the quality of applications start to decline rapidly after the first 10 or so colleges.
Financial
16. Parents—You should know what a college will cost before your child applies.
Every college has a Net Price Calculator—use it! Even better, screenshot the results so you have evidence if the financial aid package isn’t close to the estimated cost. Falling in love with a college and then discovering it won’t be affordable is one of the most avoidable heartbreaks we see during this process.
17. You may have to choose between a college you love and a college you can afford.
It’s a hard reality, but students need to compare the final cost of attendance for each college and make an educated decision. Is it worth tens or even hundreds of thousands in debt to attend the college of your dreams? These are sometimes the first adult decisions a student will need to make, and they are important ones.
18. You can apply for outside scholarships, but don’t depend on them to cover the cost of college tuition.
While you might pick up a $500 scholarship or $1000 there, most students don’t pay for college with these outside scholarships.
Even some of the most competitive and prestigious outside scholarships, like the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, award just $20,000. When you compare that to the ever-rising cost of college tuition, where some private colleges cost over $100,000 per year, even these large awards are just a drop in the bucket.
Most financial aid will come directly from the college you choose to attend, either in merit-based scholarships or need-based form.
Life Skills
19. Parents—Teach your child to be their own advocate. Don’t step in unless absolutely necessary.
Your child should be the one asking teachers for help, communicating with counselors, and contacting colleges with questions. It may be faster or easier to handle these conversations yourself, but you are robbing your child of the opportunity to develop important life skills. Instead, practice conversations with them, encourage them to take accountability, and then let them speak for themselves.
20. Be responsible for checking your own email.
Colleges communicate important information through email, including missing application items, scholarship opportunities, interview invitations, and admission decisions. Check your email regularly, including your spam folder. Your parents should not have to remind you to read messages about your own future.
Need help preparing for college?
College admissions doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does require thoughtful planning and honest conversations. Start early, ask questions, and consider working with an experienced college counselor who can keep you on track and give you honest feedback. The goal is to get into a college where you can succeed and live the type of future you dream about.
