5 Helpful Tips for Getting Into a Highly Selective College

There are a number of highly selective colleges out there – from Maryville University to the University of North Carolina. Why are they so selective? – One of the biggest reasons is because they want only the best and the brightest, while far more students apply than they have room for in each class. With the best and the brightest, they can foster an incredible environment of future leaders. Plus, the reputation of the college’s name is on the line. If you want to get into one of these highly selective colleges, you want to make sure you take a number of steps to ensure you have a good application package. Here are five helpful tips for getting into a highly selective college.

1. Ask Your Favorite High School Teachers for Letters of Recommendation

If you are interested in a specific subject, you may want to ask your teacher in that field of study if he or she can write a glowing letter of recommendation. When it comes to getting into a selective school, one or two of these letters can really make or break your chances. To ask for one of these letters, all you have to do is write your teacher a convincing email or just ask politely and thoughtfully. If you have already developed a good report with this teacher than asking for a letter of recommendation will be the easiest part of the applications process.

2. Write the Best College Admissions Essay You Can

One of the best ways to get into a school that is highly competitive is to write an amazing essay. In your essay, you want to go over all the reasons why you want to go to that particular school. Be sure to write a unique essay for your top choice – an admissions officer can tell if you are using the same generic essay for multiple schools.  If your grades aren’t that great, then this will give you a chance to explain why and how you will turn things around. Your essay is really your chance to shine.

3. Meet with the Dean of the College

Most of the time, it is difficult to meet with the dean of a particular college. However, if you want to get into a difficult school, you may want to request to meet with the dean. The dean is responsible for maintaining the standards of a certain school. If you can carry yourself in a meeting with the dean and be highly articulate, you may have a shot.

4. Build a Record of Extracurricular Activities

In high school, it is important to start engaging in various extracurricular activities. Whether you join the debate club, math team, or school play, having these things on your record can really improve your chances of getting accepted to a particular college. If you are in your last year of college, you may want to start looking for academic groups now.

5. Nail Your SATs

On top of everything, you really want to nail your SATs if you want to gain acceptance into a college that is hard to get into. This means you really need to start studying and preparing for the exam as early as possible. If you aren’t prepared, it will be difficult to get a good score. In the end, it really takes a solid year to become truly prepared for the SAT.