Dear Mr. Bradshaw,
I’m a high school senior, and I know I’ll be facing a very competitive class of applicants when I apply to college next fall. My GPA is 4.0/4.250 (weighted) and my SAT score is 1575/1600. I participate in many extracurricular activities such as football and wrestling, and am the editor of my school’s literary magazine. There are 700 students in my class, and most of the students in the top 5% have similar grades. I’m applying to most of the Ivies, Stanford, and Berkeley. Is there anything I need to know to increase my chances of getting into a top university?
Signed,
student
Dear students,
You need to express yourself effectively in your application and essay. With a GPA of 4.0/4.250 and an SAT score of 1575, you are already academically competitive. Extracurricular involvement in sports or as an editor of a literary magazine will further enhance your profile, but considering the level of the school you are applying to, you will need to go further. Having clearly defined career goals and a unique personal story can make a big difference.
One factor that many students and their advisors are unaware of is that top universities are increasingly involving career services staff in evaluating prospective students. Admissions officers now pay close attention to graduate employment rates. In response to negative publicity regarding student debt and unemployment, elite universities are applying new standards of employability to their admissions processes.
Although most universities have traditionally considered applicants’ career goals, they have rarely sought information from career services to assess whether applicants’ aspirations are realistic. This is changing. Many schools now require career development offices to participate in committee meetings to assess whether students have a clear path to employment after graduation.
This shift began several years ago during the economic downturn, when schools began to focus more on applicants’ employability. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the employment rate for 2023 graduates was only 52.1% upon graduation, a significant drop from the previous year due to tough economic conditions.
As prospective students weigh potential return on investment when deciding whether to apply to expensive Ivy League schools or more affordable in-state or out-of-state institutions , it has become increasingly important to focus on employability.
The Ivy League started a trend that is now spreading to other universities to involve career development officers in many recruiting departments. They aim to match student interests with industry needs. For example, you might give more weight to essays from applicants who express an interest in becoming a lawyer, or you might prioritize candidates with good interview and leadership potential. John Mahoney, director of undergraduate admissions at Boston University, said: It’s not just about enrolling students. It’s about getting them out and employing them. ”
Incorporating career development representatives into the admissions process allows committees to “think more critically” about borderline candidates. These representatives provide insights that help admissions officers determine which students will be most in demand upon graduation. As a result, some applicants are added to the waitlist, while others are selected from the waitlist based on this additional input. Processes are becoming more dynamic and there is more collaboration between different offices.
To increase your chances of admission, consider the following tips.
Clearly defined career goals: Make sure your essay reflects clearly defined and realistic career goals. Admissions committees seek applicants who have a clear vision for their future and have taken steps to pursue that path. For example, if you’re interested in law, discuss experiences such as internships, volunteer work, and coursework that prepared you for this career.
Demonstrate leadership and initiative: Highlight leadership roles and projects that demonstrate your initiative and problem-solving abilities. Admissions officers are not only looking for academic success, but also students who demonstrate potential for leadership and influence. Your role as a literary magazine editor is a great starting point. Please detail how you led the publication, faced challenges, and achieved results.
Visit the career development office: Before applying, visit the career development office of the university you are interested in. This will help you understand how the school helps students achieve their career goals and inform your application. Mentioning these insights in your essay shows admissions officers that you’ve done your research and are serious about your future.
Reflect on your accomplishments realistically: Use your application essay to connect your past achievements and experiences to your future goals. Admissions officers want to see that you have a consistent story and a realistic plan to achieve your aspirations. Be specific about what you learned from your experience and how it shaped your goals.
Highlight your unique qualities: Many applicants have similar academic and extracurricular profiles, so it’s important to differentiate yourself. Focus on what makes your story unique, whether it’s the personal challenges you’ve overcome, the unique perspective you bring, or the passions you’ve pursued deeply. please.
In summary, the evolving admissions landscape means you need to project yourself not only as a talented student, but also as a future professional with a clear and achievable vision. When filling out your application, keep your career goals in mind and make sure your essays and activities align with those aspirations. This approach gives you the best chance of standing out among a competitive pool of applicants.
Gerald Bradshaw is an international college admissions consultant with Bradshaw College Consulting in Crown Point.
