College Admissions Greatest Frustration

Most applicants have credentials, few have substance.

"Hans, I don't understand why my son was deferred while his best friend with a lower GPA was?accepted."

I hear this all too often this time of year. The presumption that GPA stands alone as the primary qualifier for admissions is a pure fallacy.

SAT/ ACT tests- applying "test-optional" is a major compromiser of a student's credentials. A?3.65 GPA coupled with a 1400 SAT, or 31 ACT, is a far superior applicant than is a 3.80?GPA applying test-optional.

Rigor- a?3.65 unweighted GPA with?5 AP classes?that give?it a?4.05 weighted GPA (rigor value-.40)?is a superior applicant over a 3.80?unweighted GPA with zero?rigor value.

GPA, test-scores, and rigor values?are three quick upfront variables that can be assessed within one minute of opening an application. These variables represent the initial?academic credentials for which admission counselors will use to make?a quick decision in disfavor of?an applicant...and why not? You would do the same if you were them.?

A favorable decision requires more than that.

State Universities will primarily make decisions based on?an applicant's academic credentials along with their?choice of major and?state of residence. They need to fill majors and courses, along with adhering?to "state-resident" policy.?Their?decision can be made?in under two minutes allowing them to?move quickly to the next application.?

Private schools?will look much deeper into an application before a favorable decision can be made. However, they too can make a quick decision in disfavor of an applicant if the initial?credentials do not meet the college?standards.?

Upon the?applicant passing?through the initial evaluation, the process?will move into the Activities, Common App?Essay, and Supplemental Essay sections of the application for consideration.

They will look for and evaluate?a student's substance from which they will make an?admissions decision.

Herein?lies the challenges and frustrations of colleges.?It's not credentials that applicants lack, rather, it's their substance!?

While student's?credentials are on them to build,?their perceived "substance" is on me. Let's see how.

Substance reflects upon a student's

• deep internal passions, meaningful interests, and purposeful activities
• experiences, community involvement, and global-mindedness
• mindset to learn from the perspective of others
• ability to write and verbalize their interests
• contribute towards a community-culture
• willingness to live outside?their comfort zone.

This forms the foundation for a student to have?and demonstrate?real substance. It's what colleges look for in their applicants. It's?a precursor for graduates to demonstrate?value to possible employers!

All told, substance is a predictor of?a?student's realistic likelihood?to succeed in achieving their true ambitions and internal desires;?driven by an authentic and?meaningful purpose; having the experiences, personal skills, and mindful approach?to support it.?

Substance is?a really big deal. It's also?the most common missing component in college?applicants.

Would you like to see your child build upon their substance? Let's talk!

Hans-?CollegeLogic

Office #?203.470.3704,[email protected]