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Important factors that college admissions look for.
So I am a junior in high school but I feel really unprepared for senior year, when college apps start. My dream school is any Ivy League school in the East because I wanna be away from home, but I think I have a less likely chance of getting admitted because I have bad grades and I'm below the GPA average (I have a 3.0). I failed my SAT, which makes me frustrated and I hate the Critical Reading section, but I'm retaking again in February (hoping I get at least a 2100).
Any suggestions to help so I can make my college apps look "better" when it is my turn to apply? And I need leadership, so any suggestions on that?
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Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Colleges & Universities?
Like the previous answer said, get involved in things outside of school. If you want to be a scientist, volunteer at a science museum or research lab. Find something that you feel passionate about, and unload that passion onto something productive.
Hundreds of thousands of students can take a multiple-answer test and fill in little bubbles, but none of them are as uniquely you as you are. Show colleges that you have passion and ambition, and use things like clubs and volunteering to reinforce that idea.
Also, make sure your essays are perfect and really show who you are as a person. They're the one part of your application where you are not a letter or a number, but a human voice with a story and ambitions.
It's a bit too late to get leadership positions in high school clubs, but that doesn't mean you can't get experience in other things. A lot of organizations have internships for high school students, like Do Something: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Even if you don't live in the NYC area, you can search online for similar things where you live.
You can also take challenging classes next year, and develop strong relationships with teachers throughout the next year so that you'll have really good recommendation letters.
Also, practice your interviewing skills. I know Columbia does interviewing, and it really helps if you already have an idea of how to answer their questions.
Start your applications as soon as you can, so that you aren't left on the day before the deadline trying to write 3 essays that determine your future. It makes you look more prepared and punctual if you turn in your application before the deadline, and sometimes it takes a while for all the materials (like your high school transcript) to get there on time. Your teachers also have to write a bunch of recommendation letters for other students, so the fact that you gave them ample time before the deadline to write one for you, gives them time to really think about you as an amazing student and means you'll probably get a better rec letter.
Hope I helped, and my email is always open if you have more questions :)
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Hi,
I'm form England, but I'm guessing you're talking about university?
If not ignore this!
So I have just applied to uni as well, and here are my top tips to make your application stand out:
1) For the course you want to do, try to volunteer in that field of work, if you arn't doing already.
2) Try to show an interest in your course, by doing extra curricular work like blogging about it or reading about it.
3) Centaintly in Britain, it was announced that the two things uni's think students lack is cultural awareness and independance. Why not do some charity work? That's what I did and it worked. Also, it'll make you stand out, because not many kids do charity work as it doesn't pay. But that's what you need to do if it means you stand out!
As for your leadership question, try Girl Guides. You don't HAVE to be a guide to lead, but then again you can't just swan in and ask to lead.
If you ask to volunteer at your local centre, even if it's just making tea for a few weeks untill you fit in, eventually you'll be running meetings and this will make you stand out. It's also a great way to gain new frineds.
The key for all these courses to be honest is experience, plus abit of effort. If you want the amazing CV or application, then your gonna have to really put some effort it!
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