Findtuition.com

Article Courtesy of CampusCompare.com

Sometimes grades aren't everything when it comes to getting into college. Let's say you and another student– let's call him Bobby for argument sake–are both applying to Colgate University in Business Administration. And let's say you both scored 2200 on your SATs. You are both ranked 3rd in your high school class. You both play for the high school football team with desire to play college football and do volunteer work at the hospital three days a week after school.

How does Colgate decide who to admit to its program? Well chances are you and Bobby would probably be sitting at the desks next to each other in college next fall, considering you both have such stellar marks. But you get what I mean. How do colleges break a tie when college acceptance rates are tight?

Well, many colleges and universities track your interest in attending and will use it as a factor in the admissions decision. They measure how many times you communicated with the admissions office, if you have contacted faculty members. Even if you have taken campus tours. Some even say that applying for Early Action and Early Decision can tip the odds in your favor because it shows that you are committed to the school.

Also, private colleges are more likely than public colleges to give weight to extra-curricular activities or the personal essay.

It seems like you need more than grades to make the grade.

But don’t worry, Bobby has nothing on you!