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How to Impress College Admissions Officers

College admissions officers have the daunting task of sifting through hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of applications and choosing the applicants that meet the admission criteria. The process is not an exact science, but, for the most part, you can control your ability to be accepted.

Here are some suggestions for how to impress college admissions officers.

Achieve a high GPA
Most colleges have minimum GPA requirements for their applicants. If you want to make sure that you make the first cut, you have to have a solid GPA in high school. Particular focus is placed on your junior year, so do what you can to make your transcript sparkle.

Receive excellent grades in Advanced Placement (AP) courses
College admission officers want to see that you have challenged yourself. Packing your high school schedule with easy classes isnâ ™t going to cut it. You need to take AP courses and excel in them. AP courses carry more weight on your GPA, so even if you get a B in an AP course, youâ ™ll still earn four points toward your average.

Add some extracurricular activities to your schedule
Show interests outside of the classroom. Occupy your free time productively. Play sports, join a club or play an instrument. Get involved in something, and show dedication to it.

Volunteer, show responsibility and leadership skills.
Participate in your community. Volunteer at the hospital. Tout your participation in church activities. Illustrate that you have the ability to be a responsible, aware and hard working student.

Write a polished and well-argued personal essay.
Your personal essay is critical. If you want to impress admissions officers, you need to take your essay seriously. Pre-write like thereâ ™s no tomorrow. Thoroughly address the topic in an engaging and logical manner. Make sure you have a clear point, and present it convincingly. You should also use the personal essay to explain any special hardships or adversities that you have overcome. Remember to stay enthusiastic and on message.

Include fabulous letters of recommendation.
Build relationships with your high school teachers, and ask the ones that care about you to craft enthusiastic letters praising your abilities. When you ask for a recommendation, if thereâ ™s any hesitation on the part of the teacher, find someone else. You want your letters to be dramatic praises of your scholastic prowess

The best way to impress a college admissions officer is to have a well-rounded application. Turn in your materials in a timely fashion, and make sure everything is organized and complete. Donâ ™t try any cutesy gimmicks, just stick to the facts. If youâ ™ve taken care of business in high school, youâ ™ll be able to shop around for the college of your choice.