College admissions can be a scary process, especially if you’re a first-generation college student. Even for those who aren’t first-gen, the admissions landscape has changed drastically over the past couple of years, making the process increasingly intimidating.
When students think about college admissions, they usually imagine one thing: perfect grades. While grades and test scores are important, the reality is far more complicated. As someone who was admitted to my top-choice schools–University of Virginia, Villanova University, and University of Richmond–I learned strong applications are built on three critical pillars: balance, consistency and authenticity.
To better understand what really helps students succeed, I interviewed Mrs. Shannon Findlow, a guidance counselor with over 20 years of experience; Mrs. Patricia Goley, one of the most respected and challenging teachers in our school–Goley previously worked for Merck & Co., and is currently credited for adequately preparing students for college; and Bill Wang, the top male student in the Class of 2026 who was accepted to Northwestern University and New York University (NYU) before deciding to attend Rutgers University.
One of the biggest misconceptions about college admissions, according to Mrs. Findlow, is that “only grades and test scores matter in the admissions process.” She explained that many colleges also consider essays, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, leadership and strong demonstrated interest. Different colleges value different qualities, and admissions can often be subjective.
This becomes especially important when students choose between honors, AP and dual enrollment classes. At our school, honors classes add eight points to GPA calculations, AP classes add 10 points (if you opt to not take the exam), and 12 points with the AP exam.
However, colleges still see the actual grades earned in those classes. While AP and Dual Enrollment courses are classes that can earn you college credit, in AP courses you must take the AP exam and earn at least a score of three(although, most schools now require a four or five). Whereas, in Dual Enrollment, you earn credit so long as you pay the partnering institution and pass the class.
Findlow explained that “highly selective colleges look for students to take advanced classes, if the high school offers it,” but students also need to perform well in them. Taking difficult classes only for GPA weight can sometimes backfire.
Findlow also noted one of the biggest mistakes students make is “taking classes they have no interest in, just for the weight in their GPA.”
Another common mistake is waiting too long to take academics seriously. Many students underestimate how much freshman and sophomore year grades matter.
The college admissions process itself has also changed significantly over the last few years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools became test optional because students could not easily take the SAT or ACT. A little over five years after the pandemic, many colleges are returning to standardized testing requirements.
Due to the test optional nature of certain universities, Findlow noted students today are applying to far more colleges than before, making admissions even more competitive.
So what separates a strong applicant from an average one?
According to Findlow, strong applicants ‘take a rigorous course load and perform well,” while also staying involved in activities both inside and outside of school. Colleges want students who show genuine passion and commitment, not just participation. Leadership, internships, summer programs and long-term involvement can all make applications stand out.
Bill Wang’s experience reflects many of these ideas. Although he once dreamed of attending elite schools like Harvard or Princeton, he eventually realized, “it is more important to find a school that gives you the best value for our money.” His decision to attend Rutgers shows that success is not only about prestige, but also about financial fit and long-term opportunity.
Bill also spoke honestly about the challenges he faced academically. He admitted that procrastination and cheating hurt his learning because, “I didn’t do the homework, Google did.”
Wang’s advice for students in rigorous courses is simple: “Tell yourself that it is okay to struggle.” This mindset is especially important for students entering difficult honors and AP courses for the first time.
Another important factor in admissions is authenticity. Bill believes his essay helped his application stand out because it described the family and financial hardships he overcame growing up. He also encouraged students to complete optional supplemental writing sections because “they will add to the depth of your application.”
Goley emphasized that success in high school and college depends on more than intelligence alone. She believes successful students are “well-rounded” and know how to balance academics with extracurricular activities. Time management, responsibility and resilience are just as important as natural ability.
Her most powerful message focused on overcoming fear of failure.
“I don’t actually think people avoid things out of fear of failure; I think they avoid them out of fear of not being perfect,” Goley said.
Goley encourages students to challenge themselves because growth comes after overcoming difficulty.
“Practice makes better,” she said.
All and all, there is no perfect formula or guide for getting into a dream school. Every college looks for something different, and every student has different strengths and weaknesses. However, the students who stand out most are usually the ones who challenge themselves appropriately, stay involved in meaningful activities and pursue their interest with authenticity.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to impress colleges; it should be to become the kind of student who is prepared to succeed once they get there.
– Joshua Johnson
