College Admissions Guide
This week:  What are colleges looking for?

A college admissions office wants to see more than just high test scores and grades.  How can you separate yourself from the crowd?

A rigorous course schedule.  While high school grades and SAT scores are important, a school also want to see that you have selected challenging courses that will help you grow academically.  

Genuine interest in the school.  Make concrete connections between what you want out of your education and what that college or university has to offer.  

An interest in learning.  Emphasize less on what you want to do when you graduate and more on what you would like to learn while you are a college student.

Willingness to lead.  Colleges want students who will enhance their campus community in some special way.  Many times, your abilities are best reflected in carefully chosen extracurricular activities.