When it comes to college admissions, it’s easy to think that GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities are all that matter.
But did you know there are other surprising factors that play a significant role in who gets accepted?
I’m talking about “institutional priorities” that admissions officers aren’t as upfront about like:
- Socioeconomic Diversity Colleges strive for a diverse student body across all income levels. With the end of affirmative action last June, socioeconomic diversity has become a top priority, especially among selective colleges with generous financial aid programs. Admissions officers consider a student’s parents’ education, occupations, home address, and high school to gauge their socioeconomic background. First-generation college students and those from lower and middle-income backgrounds are now more desirable to colleges.
- Gender Parity Colleges aim for a balanced student body of both male- and female-identifying students. Women typically outnumber men in liberal arts programs, making it harder for female-identifying students to get admitted to these programs. Conversely, men dominate business, computer science, and engineering programs, facing higher admission bars. This factor shouldn’t discourage applications but rather guide students in adjusting their college lists to include schools with more balanced gender ratios.
- Geography Just as students care about a college’s location, colleges care about where their students come from. Students from underrepresented states are more attractive in the admissions process and often have higher acceptance rates. Typically, students from the Deep South, Mountain West, Hawaii, and Alaska are in high demand.
While these factors might seem out of your control, there’s plenty you can do to sway the admissions pendulum in your favor.
Lamenting the fact that priorities like these exist isn’t the answer.
Instead, focus on building a strong, unique profile can ultimately matter more than these factors.
By taking an “offensive” approach instead of just focusing on GPA, test scores, and the usual extracurriculars, you can enhance your chances of standing out in the competitive college admissions landscape.
Want to learn how to build a compelling application that goes beyond just grades and test scores?
