Confessions of an admissions officer: here's the inside scoop on what colleges are really looking for - college bound

My name, is ... well, never mind. I'm an admissions officer at the University of ... well, I guess that's not important either.

With more students applying to colleges these days and the competition getting stiffer, students need to get the real scoop on the college admissions game. Before I can give you any inside tips, you need to know how the game is played.

The Significant Six

Admissions officers look at some specific information when they decide who wins and loses in the admissions game. According to Steve Pemberton, a former admissions officer at Boston College, there are several big factors that make or break an admissions decision. He calls them "the significant six."

1. Making the Grade. The college admissions process is intended to predict who will be successful at a particular college. Because academic success is the biggest concern, admissions officers first take a look at a student's high school courses and grades. In particular, they're looking for good grades in challenging courses. The logic is simple: Good grades in high school mean that a student probably will earn good grades in college. And students who succeed in challenging high school courses probably will be able to handle college-level classes.

2. The Same Yardstick for Everyone. Not all high schools are created equal. Sometimes an A at one high school is the equivalent of a B at another. An honors course at one school is barely in the same league as a regular course in another. Therefore, admissions officers look for measurement tools that are the same for all students. Those tools are called college entrance exams. Two of the most widely known are the ACT (American College Test) and the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). In both cases, the exam is given on the same date, according to the same testing rules, from coast to coast. That means that a student in Connecticut is tested in exactly the same way as a student in California. Many people criticize colleges for placing too much emphasis on SAT or ACT results. But they are a way to compare students from different high schools.

3. The Write Stuff. Many colleges ask students to send in some form of essay with their applications. Usually they ask students to answer a particular question, such as, "Describe the qualities that make someone a hero." Some colleges limit students to 500 words or three pages. Others have no length limit. Admissions officers read college essays to find out how students write and how they think, because writing skills and thinking skills are critical for success in college.

4. Getting to Know You. Some colleges require a face-to-face interview as part of the admissions process. Others offer students the choice of whether or not they want an interview. The idea behind the interview is to get to know students on a personal level. Through the interview process, admissions officers hope to get a sense of how well the college will match the student's goals, likes and dislikes, and lifestyle.

5. It's Who You Know. Admissions officers really do read letters of recommendation from teachers, guidance counselors, and other professionals. These letters show that there are responsible adults who care enough about the student to write to colleges on his or her behalf. Letters of recommendation are most convincing when they discuss a student's unique strengths and talents. This is far better than making only a general statement such as, "This is a fine young lady who worked very hard in my calculus course."

6. Getting Involved. What students do in their spare time tells admissions officers many things. Elaine Harlan, an admissions representative at the University of Missouri-Rolla, says that she likes to see that a student is involved in a band, because it shows special dedication and commitment. Sports participation suggests self-discipline and teamwork skills. Leadership positions in any group demonstrate organizational abilities and management skills. Beware, though. Admissions officers are good at identifying students who join every group they can find just to look good on paper.

Finessing the Game

Well, that's what admissions officers officially look at when they play the admissions game. But, as in basketball or football, there are techniques that good players can use to gain a fair advantage in the game. Now, pay attention. Here are my inside tips:

Push Your Limits. Remember that your high school transcript is the most important factor in the game. You need to look like a player by taking challenging high school courses that show your ability to handle tough academics. Be careful, though. If you take all honors courses and end up with a D average, then you're bound to lose the game. Besides, who wants to make him-or herself that miserable in high school? So, avoid "fluff" classes that make you look like a slacker, and push yourself a little bit, but not over the edge!

Make Contact Early. Believe it or not, some admissions officers pay attention to the lists of students who meet with college representatives, visit the college for tours, and attend other activities at the college. One great way to become known at a college--and increase your chances for admission--is to enroll in noncredit courses or a summer program at the college. Take any chance you can find to become involved with the college of your choice while you're still in high school. The stronger your connection is to a college, the better your chances of being accepted.

Try Another Yardstick. Many students are disappointed by their SAT or ACT scores after they take them for the first time, kind of like baseball players who want a better batting average. Don't settle for scores that aren't competitive. Sign up for an exam prep course, or go on-line for exam prep programs, and try, try again.

If you're still not satisfied with your SAT scores, try taking the ACT, or vice versa. The two tests are similar in what they measure, but somewhat different in how they measure it. Sometimes students do considerably better on one test than on the other, and most colleges will accept the results of either test. Just like baseball--if you're in a hitting slump, try a different bat.

The Ups and Downs of Interviews. Most colleges offer admissions interviews but don't require them. During an interview, an admissions officer sits down with you and talks about your past experiences and future plans. This is a chance for you to create a positive impression. Realize that little things like dress, grooming, eye contact, and the ability to converse coherently are all important. If you're the type of person who could sell air conditioners in Antarctica, then you definitely should set up an interview. It could improve your chances of being accepted tremendously.

If, on the other hand, the idea of an interview makes you break out in hives and a cold sweat, don't torture yourself by setting up an interview when it isn't necessary. Being nervous and stiff will make it harder for you to create a positive impression during the interview. You decide.

A Chip off the Old Block. Almost all college applications will ask if your parents or close relatives are graduates of the particular college. That's because most colleges offer admissions preferences to students whose families are alumni and supporters of the college. The thinking behind this admissions policy is that colleges become closer learning communities when they educate several generations of the same family. So, if you have a family connection at a college, use it!

Yes and No

The down side of a college admissions officer's job is having to say no to so many talented, eager young people. You see, there are only a limited number of spaces in any freshman class and so many high-quality applicants. If you can use any of my inside tips to gain a little bit of an advantage in the admissions game, you may very well be one of the students to whom we say

"Yes."

Good luck, and let the games begin!

Students will recognize the most important factors in college admissions decisions and how to improve their chances.

REVIEW/DISCUSS

1. What are the six important factors in college admissions? (grades, standardized test scores, essay, interview, recommendations, and activities)

2. What are unofficial ways to get noticed? (types of courses taken, contact with the school, and having relatives who went to the school)

3. What do you think makes a college applicant stand out?

4. What do you think college admissions officers would see as negatives?

ACTIVITIES

* Invite a college counselor to talk to the class about factors in college admissions.

* In preparation for the college application process, have students list their extracurricular activities, honors, awards, and senior courses.

* Project a model college essay via the overhead projector, and ask students to analyze its strengths. Point out how humor and imagination can make an essay stand out.

* Invite an English teacher to discuss structure, support, continuity, and creativity in writing college essays.

* Share tips for college interviews, and pair students for mock interviews after first brainstorming good questions to ask.

* Assign students to write sample college essays on this topic: "What person or experience influenced your life?" Have students exchange essays to peer edit.

* Ask groups of students to develop checklists of do's and don'ts for college essays and interviews.

teacher resource "Plan Ahead ... Get Ahead," video, $59; Social Studies School Service, (800) 421-4246.

For More Information

Visit the following Web sites:

Making It Count! by Monster.com

www.makingitcount.com

Click on "The Road to College."

The College Process by Elaine Harlan of the University of Missouri-Rolla

http://web.umr.edu/~eharlan/index.html

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