What looks good on a college application?

"These writing opportunities are a student’s most obvious chance to distinguish themselves from the rest,” says Mr. Stenger. "They have to tell their story in a way that makes it easy for the reader to understand where they’re coming from, how they’ve developed, and what they bring to a community."

According to Judith Hodara, the Associate Director of Admissions for the University of Pennsylvania and the Director of Admissions for the Wharton School of Business in an article with NextStepU, the key to a commanding essay is to explore a specific moment in life.

Encourage your children to describe this important memory in vivid detail, creating a picture for the reader.

"... [For example], getting out the door when the volunteer fire department alarm goes off, or the shock of cold water when they hit the pool for swim practice. All very small instances, but they give the reader a real idea of who the student is," says Hodara.

While your children write their application, most of it will be restrictive with the amount of space they have, so it’s important to use creativity in their word selection.

"Use a vocabulary that is more engaging, descriptive, and active," says Mr. Stenger.

Being imaginative in their writing doesn’t mean finding synonyms for every other word. It's about knowing what feeling and message they want to convey to the audience, and using what they know to communicate the story to strangers.

According to Dr. Grace Cheng Dodge, former Director of Admission, Wellesley College, MA, U.S. as well as the former Associate Director of Admissions, Harvard College, MA, U.S., if a school asks for recommendations, they put quite a bit of focus on those letters.

This is a student’s chance to show themselves in an objective light, from a perspective other than their own.

To get the best college recommendation letters, according to the College Board, a not-for-profit organization that works to expand access to higher education, applicants should do the following:

• Speak to their references about their class participation.
• Remind their references of specific work or projects they’re proud of (give them detailed examples).
• Describe the lessons they learned in class.
• If the recommendation is coming from their counselor or a school official, the student should speak with them about their hobbies, accomplishments, and plans for the future (both educationally and career-wise).

It's true that grades and test scores are of the utmost importance, but it’s within the other aspects of a college application where the applicant’s personality shines through.

With that said, colleges do look at grades, with a particular focus on course challenge. When it comes to course selection, look at academic rigor, but make sure your children keep in mind their actual abilities.

Standardized test scores are important on their college application but not as important as their actual grades.

Click here for access to free SAT practice questions and tests.

When applicants describe their co-curricular activities, their role(s) within the community, their interests, hobbies, their experiential learning opportunities, or their academic interests, it’s important to reflect and describe those aspects beyond their superficial layer.

"It’s about looking back and getting to the meaningfulness of those experiences," says Mr. Stenger.

In everything they write, think:

• What was gained?
• How has it influenced me and others?
• How has it changed me as a young person?

We understand this is a cumbersome process, but it’s important to encourage your children to try their best to show the ways they have enjoyed these experiences or how they have shaped them throughout their application.

Throughout all your children’s interactions with their school of choice, encourage them to demonstrate their interest.

How to demonstrate interest?

According to CollegeData, a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and an organization that helps students research and apply to colleges, there are four ways to demonstrate interest in the college application process.

1. Build a track record of consistent contact. For example, when college advisors visit the school, encourage your children to speak to them, get their contact information, and send a thank-you note afterward.
2. It’s important to show they’ve researched the school. For example, in their essays, bring up something they read on the school website or during one of its visits.
3. Use their supplemental materials to their advantage. In many cases, essays on the college application will ask them something about why they want to attend this specific institution. Even if the application doesn't ask this, encourage your children to weave it into their answers.
4. Apply early, well before the deadline, as this shows the college the applicant considers it one of their top choices.

Keep in mind: the school is tracking applicant interactions and therefore it’s important to be thoughtful with demonstrated interest.

With all this in mind, it’s important to encourage your children to take their time when selecting which college or university to attend.

When selecting a post-secondary school, it’s highly recommended you, as a family, consider much more than the prestige of an institution, and focus on the importance of the school being a personal fit. Discover how to help your children choose a college that is right for them.