College Admissions Guide to Not Panicking

Everyone worries about college admissions and everyone has their own thoughts and ideas on how best to do this. Many students believe that the SATS results are the most important. However, the admission factors most often taken into account appear to be your high school record.

And, while this is true, college admissions look at many factors before making a decision and about 35 to 50% of that decision is influenced by your high school records.

This often gives a college an indication of how well you perform when given a rigorous workload. College admissions will not only look at your overall grades, but also whether you chose difficult classes, whether your grades improved during high school and even whether you let your senior year grades slide.

They also claim that about 25 to 40% of their admissions decision is based on test scores. Both the ACT and SAT test are used to evaluate applicants, showing them how well you would handle problem solving, reading and other basic skills.

This is one reason why SAT test preparation is vital if you want to do well and improve your SAT test score. If you have been active in community services or activities, then be sure to include that information when applying.

Their decision is influenced anywhere from 5 to 20% on these factors. Colleges feel that if you were active in community services or took a leadership position in an activity, then it is likely you will continue to be active at college.

College admissions may also look at essays and recommendations to learn things that SATS tests are not able to tell them. They want to know what is important to you and discover your greatest strengths and weaknesses.

Of course, to get into any college you need good marks and taking SAT preparation classes, along with practice SATs tests improves your chances of making a much higher grade. College admissions tell us that high GPA's and good SAT scores will get a lot more attention than the average scores. Taking AP (advanced placement) courses shows them that you are serious about your education and that warrants extra attention.

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