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What Colleges Are Really Looking For (From A College Consultant)
Families often ask me: What do colleges really look for in college applications?
As a college search and admissions consultant based in Massachusetts with nearly 20 years of experiences working with families locally and nationwide, I can tell you this with confidence: admissions decisions are not based on one achievement, one score, or one activity.
Instead, colleges use a
holistic review
process to understand who a student is and what they will bring to their campus community. This review considers academics, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and context.
In this article, I’ll break down what actually matters most in the admissions process.
The Foundation: Academic Performance and Course Rigor
At the most selective colleges, academic performance is the starting point. This includes not only grades, but also the level of challenge a student has taken on.
Admissions officers look closely at transcript strength over time, course rigor, and intellectual curiosity. Beyond grades, the transcript review considers the strength of curriculum.
Course rigor signals readiness for college work.
Extracurricular Activities: Depth Over Breadth
Beyond broad and surface extracurricular involvements, colleges are far more interested in depth. Evidence of sustained commitment, meaningful involvement, leadership, and impact make a strong impression on admissions readers.
Gone are the days when students were expected to be “well rounded” through surface level involvements.
And not everyone is cut out to be an athlete, musician or into community service. Be who YOU are!
Essays: Your Story and Perspective
The essay is where students show who they are beyond transcripts, test scores, resume or recommendations.
The most compelling essays reveal evidence of self-awareness, reflection, personal growth, and values.
Character, Contribution, and Fit
Colleges are building communities.
They consider who the student is, how they will contribute, and what values they demonstrate.
Context: The Story Behind the Application
Applications are read within context of the student’s school, resources, opportunities, and personal circumstances.
This means that achievement is evaluated relative to opportunity.
What Families Often Misunderstand
There is no specific checklist or formula that is appropriate to every student. One size does not fit all!
More activities do not equal a stronger application, and prestige is not the same as fit.
Students succeed overall when they pursue genuine interests and reflect honestly on why these have been personally meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do colleges care more about grades or activities?
➜ Grades and rigor are foundational, but the application review is holistic.
Q. What stands out most?
➜ Consistency, depth, and initiative
Q. Is there a formula to follow?
➜ There is no single formula. Every student brings their own individual strengths.
The college admissions process can feel overwhelming. If your family would benefit from personalized guidance, get in touch! I would be happy to help you build a strategy that reflects your student’s strengths and goals.
Marla Platt, M.B.A. is an independent college consultant based in Sudbury, MA through AchieveCoach College Consulting, providing expert and personalized college counseling to students and families throughout the college planning, search and admissions process. Marla is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and can be reached via www.achievecoach.com
Serving high school students in:
Sudbury, Wayland, Acton, Groton, Hopkinton, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Natick, Needham, Brookline, Bolton, Concord, Carlisle, Lexington, Framingham, Dover, Sherborn, Grafton, Hopkinton, Arlington, Cambridge and all of Metrowest Boston and New England.
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