What Are College Admissions Officers Specifically Looking For In A College Essay?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Admissions officers look for students

whose essays reveal their character and perspective through their real experiences, not contrived situations

. Admissions officers say most essays they read are safe, generic and do nothing to make them remember or want to advocate for the students who wrote them.

What are the top 3 things that you want a college admissions officer to know about you?

  • Choose the right high school classes. …
  • Get to know the college counselor. …
  • Keep your grades up. …
  • Take standardized tests early. …
  • Do your homework and try hard. …
  • Engage in the right mix of extracurricular activities. …
  • Take the college application process seriously.

What do college admissions committees look for when you are applying to college?

These admissions committee members look over your

application for basic qualifications like grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to make sure you match up to the standards of the typical matriculating student

. … Together, that committee discusses your application and makes a decision on whether or not to admit you.

What makes you a good candidate for admission essay?

Whether reflected in the essay or the thoughtful confluence of the academic course load and extracurricular activities, a successful applicant should

highlight an ability to overcome obstacles and garner results

. It's about proving you can produce outcomes, both on the part of the student and the university.

What do college admissions officers look for?

Admissions officers look for students who

are engaged, curious, honest, eager to learn and willing to contribute to the vibrancy of the campus

. Most colleges hope to attract a diverse pool of students whose unique and individual perspectives and experiences will enhance learning opportunities for all.

Do they actually read college essays?

Yes,

every college essay is read if the college has asked for it

(and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college's review process. It will be anywhere from one reader to four readers.

How can I impress a college admissions officer?

  1. Be Prepared. Research the school beforehand. …
  2. First Impressions Count. If you have an interview with an admissions officer, make their impression of you memorable. …
  3. Take Academic Studies Seriously. …
  4. Demonstrate Problem Solving. …
  5. Highlight Your Uniqueness And Passions.

What do Harvard admissions officers look for?

Closely associated with your GPA and another major attribute Harvard University expects to see from top applicants is excellent standardized test scores. More specifically, admissions officers want to see you

crush the SAT and ACT

– you know, the two tests you've heard enough times to commit them to long-term memory.

What are colleges looking for in a student?

High School Curriculum & Performance

Overall, college admissions typically value students with a difficult course load and grades that represent strong efforts and upward trending scores. But in addition to curriculum and grades, colleges also look at

students' scores on the SAT or ACT

.

What traits do colleges want to see?

  • Leadership.
  • A willingness to take risks.
  • Initiative.
  • A sense of social responsibility.
  • A commitment to service.
  • Special talents or abilities.

How do you stand out in college admissions?

  1. Participate in a specialized high school program. …
  2. Take a college class. …
  3. Find a summer program at a local school or community college. …
  4. Get involved with research. …
  5. Create your own project. …
  6. Take a free online class. …
  7. Get a job. …
  8. Volunteer in your community.

Do colleges look at honors classes?

The answer that most colleges will give you is that

it's better to get an A in the Honors/AP class

. And most highly-selective schools will expect that you do. But many colleges would rather see a B in an Honors or AP course than a higher grade in a regular college prep course. … Colleges may be put off by this.

How do colleges make admission decisions?


Your college application and its supporting documents will be

used by the school's admissions office to make its decision. College and university admissions officers and committees also review notes from their high school visits or contact with you during things like the college interview or college fairs.

What do you think college admissions officers are looking for when they read student essays?

Admissions officers look for students

whose essays reveal their character and perspective through their real experiences, not contrived situations

. Admissions officers say most essays they read are safe, generic and do nothing to make them remember or want to advocate for the students who wrote them.

How do I write why I major essay?

  1. Share how your academic interest developed. The first step in crafting an effective “Why This Major?” essay example is explaining your emotional resonance with the subject, and your background in it. …
  2. Detail your reasoning and goals. …
  3. Explain your school choice.

How do you write an admission essay?

  1. Read the instructions carefully. They say starting the essay is the hardest part. …
  2. Start with a compelling introduction. …
  3. Use your inner voice. …
  4. Avoid clichés. …
  5. Give good examples to support your ideas. …
  6. Stick to a clear essay plan. …
  7. Ask someone to proofread your work.
Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.