How to Build Your College List & Measure Your Chances for Admissions
How do you measure your chances of admission for any given college? This is based on several factors. Some factors are more objectively measurable in the college application process than others. The easily measured factors include:
- Your GPA
- Your test scores on ACT, SAT, Subject Tests and AP.
Less measurable, but also important to your college application are:
- The quality (rigor) of your course schedule
- Your resume of activities, work, and other experiences
- Contributions you made to your community
- Your love of learning
- Your life’s experiences
Using Measurable Factors
Check admissions data for each college on your list. Look at the range of SAT or ACT scores, and GPA’s. Your test scores will put you in one of three zones for the college: green, yellow or red.
What puts a school in your GREEN zone?
- your test scores are in the top...
College Fairs
College fairs are a great place to start your college search! So, what’s a college fair and what can you expect?
Think “science fair” for colleges. College fairs are events where colleges from around the country will gather to provide students with information. College representatives (usually admission staff or college alumni) are available at tables to answer questions and distribute brochures or handouts about their college. You might also be able to sign up to be on a college’s mailing/email list. College fairs typically happen at your school (or a school nearby), or sometimes at a hotel, community center, or convention center.
To make the most of your college fair experience, here are some general do’s and don’ts.
DO:
- Make a plan! Get a list of the colleges that will be at the event and decide which college tables you want to...
