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College

Selection

C.R.I.T.E.R.I.A.

C

Course Selection

Course Selection

  • Make a plan for your high school courses
  • Select rigorous courses in high school to be competitive
  • Opt for more difficult course options if you can, such as Honors, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate courses
  • Enroll in college prep courses, such as Advanced Placement courses or classes at a local community college

R

Rank

Rank

  • Maintain a good rank within your graduating class
  • You should be familiar with your rank throughout your high school career
  • Ask your high school about weighted ranks--

Does taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes increase your rank?

  • Some smaller schools do not have ranks

I

Interest

Interest

  • Personal interests and extracurriculars are sometimes overlooked by students, but they are vitally important.
  • Colleges want freshmen with a variety of interests.
  • Students should include their interests in their applications (usually in their essays). Make sure to explain why you are involved in those things.
  • There is potential to attain scholarships for niche interests.
  • Be sure to note any leadership positions in organizations in your application.

T

Test

Test

  • Standardized tests, SAT and ACT
  • Look at the SAT/ACT averages for incoming students under the class profile information for colleges of your interest. Some colleges have minimum test scores, while others simply list averages.
  • Prep tests -- should you pay to take them? Find them on SAT/ACT websites (sometimes for free). Check with your high school or local community college for prep classes at a lower cost. If it's within your personal price range, consider it.
  • More prep leads to better success
  • Read, read, read in the months before the test

E

Essays

Essays

  • Rounds out your personal information
  • Provides the opportunity to meet you on paper
  • Write about something that you know and are interested in
  • Ask a professional to proof your essay for grammar and content. You could ask an English teacher or a librarian, for example.

R

Recommendation

Recommendation

  • Letters of recommendation are critical for obtaining jobs, scholarships, and college entrance.
  • Be sure to ask someone to write a letter of recommendation for you. Make it easy for them by providing a stamped, addressed envelope if it must be mailed, or provide a link for an online portal if it can be submitted online. Don’t wait until the last minute to ask; make sure they have plenty of time to respond and know the date the recommendation is due.
  • Follow up with a thank-you note to anyone who writes a letter of recommendation for you.
  • Only send the required number of recommendations. Follow the instructions on the application -- they won't read extra ones if you send more than required.

I

Interviews

Interviews

  • Interviews are important; if an interview is offered, take it!
  • Relax and be yourself
  • Understand who you're meeting with. Is it faculty, alums, or administrators?
  • Dress professionally
  • Shake hands, make good eye contact, and express your appreciation for the opportunity.
  • Treat it as a professional event

A

Academics

Academics

  • Grades are important (especially your first three years of high school)
  • Take challenging courses and do well
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