The Crucial 5: Looking Good on Your Application

What do colleges want?

This is a question that comes up repeatedly in the news, from parents, even between college consultants. Back in the old days (when parents applied to college) the buzzword was "well-rounded." We all wanted to be involved in a variety of activities that showed how balanced we were. Now the word is "passion." Colleges look for applicants who have explored one (or more) activities at depth. It is enough to make your head spin!

But aside from essays and extra-curriculars, colleges look at each applicant's quantitative mix. These mostly numerical scores are more important for large public universities who have less time to focus on each application individually, but they are also important for private colleges as well.

So what is this mysterious quantitative mix? Obviously, it includes SAT, SAT2, ACT, AP and IB scores. All of those numbers are factored in. Yes, they are important, but they are not the only thing(s) that colleges look at. Colleges know that standardized tests can show college readiness and ability in some but not all students. Timed testing can be undermined by anxiety and learning issues and are not a comprehensive measure for everyone.

Colleges also look closely at transcripts, and that is where the Crucial 5 come in. Successful applicants share one thing in common: they have 4 years of classes in the following subject areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and (one) Foreign Language. Can you get into college without all 4 years? Absolutely. But if you are looking at a competitive school, you will increase your chances by making sure you have all these bases covered. And all of these classes contribute to the mix.

More than straight As, taking the most challenging combination of the crucial 5 offered at your high school will help balance out your scores. A B in an AP class shows that you challenged yourself, and you are working as hard as you can in high school. No college wants to take a slacker or an underachiever! You don't need to take the top classes in every subject, so if you are stronger in language, and weaker in Math, don't panic. (Just make sure you get through Algebra 2, a must for college admissions). And make sure your transcript shows that you made the effort.

An old joke asks: what do you call someone who speaks two languages? (bilingual) and what do you call someone who speaks only one language (an American). Hopefully this is not true anymore, and colleges are actively looking for students who prove that joke wrong. Also, brain research has shown that you can learn languages more easily as a teenager than later on. So take your 4 years of French (or Spanish, or Latin), especially since it will probably get you out of having to take language at college, which will give you an opening for more electives once you get there.