The Invisible Question
Early Decision results are in and, like every year, we've seen a mix of great results as well as some disappointments.
To the untrained eye, the college application process seems arbitrary and unpredictable. Actually, it's not.
Most kids and parents don't see the big picture. Meaning, who else they're competing with -- all over the country, not from their high school -- and how they stack up. But if you know the competitive landscape, things are much easier to predict. The more you know, and implement based on that knowhow, the greater your odds of success. Here's what I mean...
The academic component - GPA, rigor of course load and standardized testing -- equates to approximately 60% of the application.
The other 40% consists of stuff that's in your control -- extracurricular activities, essays, demonstrating interest -- and stuff that's out of your control, such as the high school you attend ("feeder" or non-feeder) race, ethnicity, zip code, whether your parents went to college, more.
But here's the thing about extracurricular activities...
...They look basically the same for 90% of applicants. Between this and rampant grade inflation, it's wicked hahd for an admissions officer to sift and sort candidates at their respective colleges. Everyone has a 93 average and is in National Honor Society.
I call this Application Incest.
Riddle me this: how is an admissions officer going to pick you/your child out of a field of 20,000, 30,000 or even 100,000 (or more) students that pretty much have the same grades and activities?
When you're a standout at your high school, it's understandable if you don't think much about other similar, competitor-applicants from the other 20,000+ high schools vying for a spot at the same college. But even a valedictorian must answer one, "invisible" question that's not actually on the Common Application:
Why should we choose YOU?
The sooner you start thinking about how to separate yourself from the competition, the better results you'll achieve.
But if the first time you grapple with this question is the 2nd half of 11th grade, when most kids have their big College Meeting with their guidance counselors, it will be like fighting Mike Tyson with one hand tied behind your back. Other applicants may have started planning in utero.
OK, I'm exaggerating a smidge. 9th or 10th grade is better than 12th, because you can still tinker with all the raw material that ultimately goes into the applications and essays.
11th grade is not too late, but, to be blunt, you're pushing it.
Getting into college today is not a meritocracy. It's about how you market yourself.
- Andy Lockwood
