How to Get Into a Good College: The Basics Explained

Are you applying to college soon?

Over 16.6 million students enroll in college every year. With these many applications, getting to a good university might be difficult.

It becomes more tedious when you lack help. If you aren’t careful, the college might end up rejecting your application.

Do you want a starting point? If so, continue reading to learn how to get into a good college today:

Table of Contents

Learn How To Get Good Grades

A challenging curriculum with high grades is a critical admission factor. Most colleges use GPAs to judge whether applicants have the aptitude. For this reason, a good GPA will get you through the initial stage.

Make yourself attractive by taking as many challenging courses as possible. Do this during your junior and senior years. Here are solid options:

AP
Honors
IB

Colleges like to admit students willing to challenge themselves. It means taking higher-level courses in your preferred areas.

Get A High SAT Or ACT Score

In recent years, more schools adopted test-optional policies. However, SAT or ACT scores can still affect your college admission chances. It’s because most colleges consider standardized test scores vital.

Submit your SAT or ACT scores even when it’s an optional requirement. Most students take these tests during their junior year. It gives them more time to determine whether retaking them is worth the effort.

Prepare for either exam by using official practice questions and tests. The good news is you can download them for free online.

Get Strong Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters are important since they reveal your character. It does so in a way grades or test scores can’t. For this reason, ask people to describe you positively in these areas:

Accomplishments
Attitude
Skills

Most colleges need up to three recommendation letters. They usually accept those from teachers and high school guidance counselors. Also, consider fulfilling national honor society requirements to get more credibility as a member.

When requesting recommendation letters, always be polite. Ask your recommender at least a month before the college application deadline. It ensures they have enough time to collect their thoughts.

Manage Your Online Reputation

Even when you aren’t applying to the best tech colleges, ensure your online presence is clean. Most college admissions officers rely on social media to learn more about you. They are looking for red flags to ensure they only admit the best students across the country.
Keep your social media accounts free from questionable content. It applies whether it’s your Instagram or TikTok profile. Consider setting your online presence private as an extra measure.
Google your name to discover whether anything online can reflect you in a negative light. Be wary of your email address and ensure it remains professional and inoffensive.