What Do Colleges Really Look for?
By Harvard College
As you begin to think about applying to colleges, you may wonder: What do colleges look for when they review applications? This is one of the questions that admissions representatives receive most frequently when we meet students and their families. Many selective colleges practice an admissions process that looks at the applicant as a whole person. This means that they take into account a student’s out-of-school activities and commitments, as well as their personal qualities, in addition to their academic achievement. This article will detail the ways that selective colleges evaluate each section of a student’s application.
First, colleges have rigorous academic environments, so admissions officers want to be sure that the students they admit will thrive in this type of setting. We determine a student’s level of academic preparedness from two factors: the high school transcript and standardized tests (some colleges do not require these tests).
When we review transcripts, we consider the courses that students have taken. When they have had the opportunity to choose courses, have they chosen to challenge themselves? Have they performed well in these difficult classes? Of course, applicants across the world do not all have access to the same set of courses. Some students attend schools that have Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or honors courses; some do not. Admissions committees do not evaluate the quality of opportunities offered to you; instead, we are interested in the courses you have chosen—and how you have performed in them—among those that were available at your school. We like to see that students have selected a course load that is challenging but manageable for them.
SAT and ACT scores are helpful to us because they provide a roughly standardized measure of preparedness for applicants from across the world. Test scores typically align with students’ grades, and in a whole-person evaluation process, are only one of many factors we consider. In your college research, you may notice that each college has slightly different requirements for testing.
Second, admissions committees are interested in the ways you spend your time when you are not attending your classes. Some students have identified activities or subject areas in which they are particularly interested, and have pursued those outside of school. Others hold part-time jobs, care for family members, or help to support their communities in other ways. Describing how you have spent your time over the past four years—in the “extracurricular” section of the application, your essays, or anywhere else you feel is appropriate—can help admissions officers understand what has been important to you during high school, and how you might contribute to student life on our campus.
Finally, admissions officers are looking for students who will make a positive contribution to our community. When we review applications, we look at students’ essays and recommendations from their teachers and guidance counselors to learn about their relationships with those around them. We seek to admit students who are kind, inclusive, and curious, who will utilize our colleges’ many resources, and who enjoy sharing their interests with those around them. Personal essays and recommendations that paint a picture of your personal qualities help admissions committees to envision you as part of their community.
We know that applying to colleges can be stressful. At the same time, this process can invite applicants to reflect upon themselves, their interests, and their values, and this introspection can be very helpful both now and later on. As you continue to explore the next chapter of your education, do not hesitate to reach out to your trusted mentors or to college admissions offices themselves for guidance. Thank you for taking the time to learn about what colleges look for in students’ applications; we know that your own application will be the better for it!