Unigo Expert Network: Most Important Parts of the Application

Far and above any other piece of the application, your transcript is the most important component. This one document is a snapshot of four years of work. It tells the admissions committee the kinds of decisions you made about courses, your ability to be successful, whether you pushed beyond the expected, and if you have areas of strength or interest. A second important piece is your writing, reflected in the essays and supplements. Here is a chance to share your motivation, to explain the impact of your environment, and to convince the college that you will take advantage of its unique opportunities.

The most important components of any application are also the ones that are completely in your control: your academic record, your attention to details such as submitting the application on time, and your essays. Admissions officers look for how you've challenged yourself by the classes you've taken and then they look at the grades you received. They love it when you have paid attention to details and gotten everything right by answering all the questions completely and submitted everything before the deadline. And they really pay attention to what you write in your personal statement--that's the one place where you have 100% control over what they learn about you, so use that part of the application to your advantage.

Each piece of an application contributes something to the whole package, and while your grades and academic success are paramount and are usually enough to get you admitted at most colleges, at many very selective places they are not enough. In those cases, it's your job to tie the separate pieces of your academics, your life experiences, your outside-of-class accomplishments, and your essay together into something that tells the reader who you are and what you'll bring to the college. So really, it's not the pieces that matter the most: It's the way you make them all work together to your advantage.

Colleges are looking for students who stand out from the rest. Many applicants have excellent grades and test scores, but schools are not evaluating you only on your academics. They are interested in how your teachers compare you to other students in their classes. They want to know whether you have shown a real interest in their school through a college fair, campus visit, or an interview. They want to see if you have been an enthusiastic participant in some extracurricular activities and community service. They want to read unique college essays that will help them find out more about you.

All of the components of the application are important, even little things like whether you're capitalizing proper nouns instead of typing like you're texting. Start the writing process early and craft unique essays that help colleges get to know you. Do your research so that you can convincingly and specifically answer the "why this college?" questions. For letters of recommendation, ask the teachers who know you well and can speak about your intellectual curiosity. Be aware of how your academic record, extracurricular activities, community service, and essays fit together to paint a complete picture and reflect what's important to you.