Making First Impressions Count with College Admissions

College enrollments are down, and the numbers are predicted to drop lower. But changes in admissions policies (including placing less emphasis on standardized test scores) are causing individual students to submit more applications than ever to their preferred schools – even when they are arguably weak candidates.

That trend is making it more difficult than ever for admissions officers to protect the yield rate for their schools. The yield rate for a college or university refers to the percentage of students who choose to enroll after being offered a place in an upcoming class. Essentially, it’s a measure of the success of the admission process for a college in converting “admitted” students into “enrolled” ones. A poor yield rate can negatively affect a school’s overall reputation and ranking.

What does this mean for you and your admission hopes? Keep the following considerations in mind.

You May Have No More Than 15 Minutes

According to one dean of admissions at Duke University, he gives each file that crosses his desk 15 minutes or less of his time before he either forwards the application to another admissions officer for a more thorough review or rejects it. As the admissions officer notes, “I have to say no to about two-thirds or three-fourths” of the college applications he receives.

In other words, it’s harder than ever to make a big impression. While a near-perfect grade point average, Advanced Placement courses and tests once “moved the needle,” for applicants, they’re now pretty much a requirement just to get through that initial screening. If you want to be more competitive in today’s admissions climate, you need to:

• Obtain the strongest letters of recommendation possible. Start building relationships with teachers, counselors and mentors who are willing to get to know you well. Letters of recommendation that speak to your strengths, character and potential for collegiate success can make a big difference when applying to colleges.
• Write compelling essays. Well-written, genuine personal statements and admission essays can showcase your aspirations, passions and personality – and make you a unique applicant that gets the right attention.
• Engage in research projects. When you pursue something meaningful to you through independent studies that align with your academic and career goals, you’re showing your initiative and drive. That makes you more likely to succeed in everything you do, including college.
• Seek out additional opportunities to shine. Volunteer work, internships, real-life work experience, study-abroad programs and leadership roles within school clubs or community groups can all demonstrate your strength of character and commitment to your goals.

Finally, you want to do everything in your power to avoid being waitlisted or deferred simply because the school suspects that you are using them as a “safe” option or a backup plan in case your goal school doesn’t come through. If you’re serious about attending a specific school, show your interest by attending information sessions, virtual events and (when possible) taking campus tours. Many schools track demonstrated interest as a major factor in admission decisions precisely because they’re conscious of their yield rates.

The Bottom Line: You Need Every Edge You Can Get

Without question, the entire college admissions process has been in flux over the last few years. The pressure on students hoping to make their academic mark is pretty high – and admissions officers are also feeling the heat. That makes it increasingly important for hopeful students to take advantage of everything at their disposal that can help them gain an edge on their admissions journey.