Did you know that Harvard rejects half of its applicants who have perfect SAT scores and that Stanford rejects half of its applicants who have perfect 4.0 GPAs?
(Get Into Any College 6th edition)
The reason for this is because college admissions officers do not view you as a number, but as an individual. There are many factors that can make or break your acceptance into a university. Leadership is a major factor that is a huge bonus. If the college admission officer reviewing your application does not think that you “fit” within the college, then that’s the end of the line. But there is something you can do to make them see that you belong there. Participating in your school and community shows that you like to get involved and love to help.
If grades just don’t cut it for you, but you a pro at sports, that’s a plus for you too. Scouts are always visiting high schools to recruit. A softball player at my school received letters from Cornell, Harvard, UC Irvine, and UCLA imploring her to attend their school. If only the college admissions process was that easy for everyone. Another student in my A.P English class is a football player. A scout from Yale came to speak to him! So, grades aren’t everything, they matter but it doesn’t mean that you won’t get into an Ivy League just because you don’t have a 4.5 GPA.
Extracurricular activities are a must in high school. They show your potential to grow, become involved, and how you want to help. Volunteering and tutoring will add spice to your application. Colleges do not want robotic students that go home and study, get good grades, go home, and do homework. Participate! If you can’t find something to do for your community, join a club! The American Red Cross club has a biannual blood drive where you can donate blood or volunteer at. For those California residents, CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is a large volunteer club and organization that hands out scholarships, a double bonus!
Now get out there!
