How I got into college: sometimes getting in takes more than just being a bright, well-rounded kid

Careers and Colleges, Sept-Oct, 2004 by Traci Mosser

What's the secret to getting into your dream college? If you answered good grades, challenging classes, great essays, strong test scores, and meaningful extracurricular activities, then you're on the right track. But in today's competitive admission pool, it's likely that many applicants are sporting those same qualifications.

"The single best predictor of success in college is success in the high school classroom," says Monica Inzer, dean of undergraduate admission and student financial services at Babson College in Babson Park, Massachusetts. "The problem is that colleges hear from so many who are good students. Students have to figure out a way to tell their stories in a unique way."

When admission staff must make a decision between candidates with similar qualifications, it often comes down to who has that "something extra" that makes them stand out from the pack. And sometimes students without those stellar scores and grades can still make the cut. Why? The admission counselors see something in that person that will contribute uniquely to the school. "We like to fill our school with dynamic students who are going to make other students want to come there," says Inzer. Heather B. Deardorff, associate director of admissions at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, suggests finding an advocate--someone on the campus who can go to bat for you. "So many students just fill out an application online and that's all they do, and they never touch base with anyone on campus--a coach, a music director, a professor," she says. "Find somebody who can get to know you and talk to the admission director on your behalf. Colleges are starting to take interest demonstrated by the student more into account."

The four students profiled here snagged acceptances for various reasons. In these profiles, the applicants reveal what made them unique, and their admission counselors explain why those qualities made a difference.

Letter Perfect

Sebastian Price

AGE: 20 HOMETOWN: Glyndon, MD

COLLEGE: Wheeling Jesuit University

LOCATION: Wheeling, WV

MAJOR: Theology and Secondary Education

GPA: 2.3 SAT SCORE: "Just over 1000"

ADMISSION COUNSELOR: Hillary A. Hanlon

WHY HE STOOD OUT: Recommendation letters

When Wheeling Jesuit University showed interest in recruiting Sebastian Price for his lacrosse skills, he got excited. Having attended a Jesuit high school, Sebastian liked the idea of enrolling at a small Jesuit college. Just one problem. Sebastian's high school academic record--at least when taken at face value--wasn't strong enough to guarantee him admission to the school. "I've never been a straight-A student," he says. "I was always pretty much a B/C student and my SAT scores were nothing spectacular."

Still, Sebastian applied and prayed for the best. Lucky for him, his admission counselor, Hillary A. Hanlon, had a sharp eye. Noticing that Sebastian's grades dipped dramatically his sophomore year and then improved his junior and senior years, she did a little detective work. She quickly learned from Sebastian's guidance counselor that his grade dip coincided with the time following his older brother's sudden death. That conversation--and the guidance counselor's glowing words about Sebastian--convinced her that she should ask the admission committee to take a closer look at Sebastian's file. Not comfortable offering him admission immediately, the committee asked Sebastian to re-take the SAT, show improvement in his senior-year grades, and provide some letters of recommendation. Sebastian hit the books and got an SAT tutor, but it was the heartfelt recommendation letters that really tipped the admission scales in his favor.

SEBASTIAN: At first I had a huge list of people I was considering to write the letters, but then I talked to my parents and my guidance counselor to help me narrow it down. I decided to ask my guidance counselor, the director of learning services at my school, my JV football coach, and my priest. I thought I had a pretty good group. They really knew where I was coming from and could pretty much tell my story. I was straightforward with them. I asked them if they'd feel comfortable writing me a recommendation. Fortunately, they were all for it.

HANLON: At Wheeling, letters of recommendation are optional. We suggest students send them to us especially when they are on the borderline of being accepted. What caught my eye with Sebastian was the overwhelming support given in several of the letters--much greater than we usually find. I see recommendations everyday, but these were different. Every single one stood out and brought tears to my eyes. They were very touching, and I kept them all and hope to one day share them with him when he graduates. My advice? Don't ask just any teacher for a recommendation--ask a teacher who you have a good relationship with--someone who can give solid testimony about who you are. I don't know if this is true for other schools, but for us--the more letters, the better.

The Personal Touch

Yolonda Shields