What Colleges Look For

Proper academic planning in high school lays the foundation for college success. With guidance, students can design an academic path that develops the critical and creative thinking skills colleges value most.

Many schools offer a range of options — College Prep (CP), Honors (H), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses — as well as different academic tracks. The goal is to build higher-level thinking skills across the five core subjects — English, math, science, social studies and world language — by taking the strongest curriculum an individual can handle while maintaining balance across academics, extracurriculars, family and personal well-being.

A comprehensive yet flexible long-term academic plan, created through in-depth academic coaching, helps balance coursework with other life responsibilities and obligations. Strong performance in prerequisite classes is essential for qualifying for more advanced courses and tracks. Success in middle school math, science and world language often determines high school placement, since these subjects build on previous knowledge.

Taking higher-level courses can not only strengthen college applications but also boost placement results. Scoring well on AP or IB exams or earning high grades in Dual Enrollment classes, may lead to college credit or advanced standing — allowing students to take higher-level courses sooner and even graduate early.

Selecting a high school course schedule benefits from guided care, comprehensive feedback and thoughtful reflection. The goal is to place each student in the best position to master valuable skills and stay on track without unnecessary stress.

A healthy balance among academics, extracurricular activities, family and personal responsibilities should always be a priority. Careful planning helps students perform at their best across all areas of life.

As a certified school counselor, I help identify each student’s areas of academic interest and ability within the five core subjects. From there, I advise on how to specialize in these areas — selecting electives strategically, choosing the right course levels and pursuing activities that complement the academic profile. Through Academic Coaching, I collaborate with school counselors and teachers to ensure every student is not only challenged but also supported and confident in their progress.

For majors requiring portfolios — such as Architecture, Music or Art — I also guide students in selecting additional courses and developing the creative work and skills that will be evaluated as part of the admission process.

Strong performance in college preparatory courses signals to colleges that a student is ready to succeed at the next level.

Many colleges include academic electives taken within the five core subject areas when calculating a college prep GPA. These electives — such as psychology, economics or statistics, not only deepen knowledge but also strengthen the skills needed for challenging college coursework.

Building a transcript that combines rigorous core classes with thoughtfully chosen academic electives shows consistent effort, intellectual curiosity and the ability to handle higher-level work. This approach helps each student develop a versatile skill set, stand out in the admissions process and transition more smoothly to college-level expectations.

A student’s overall high school GPA appears on the transcript sent to college admissions offices and is often used to determine class rank. This GPA may be weighted on a scale set by the school district or reported on an unweighted 4.0 scale.

In some states, students who rank within a designated percentage of their graduating class are granted automatic admission or academic scholarships to state universities.

Many colleges also recalculate GPAs using their own weighting systems to equalize applicants from different high schools, since Honors, AP, IB and Dual Enrollment courses are weighted differently across districts.

The goal is to pursue the strongest academic curriculum an individual can handle without becoming overloaded. In the end, colleges look for more than numbers — they want engaged, well-rounded contributors who show curiosity, commitment and potential to thrive on campus.

Many colleges still consider class rank when making admission and scholarship decisions. At selective public, magnet schools or private high schools, families often wonder whether rigor will be taken into account when a student’s rank appears lower in a more competitive environment.

Admissions officers assigned to each geographic region usually have detailed knowledge of the high school a student attends. They review the school profile, compare past applicants and draw on their own research to understand its level of rigor and grading practices.

A growing trend among high schools is to report GPA distributions instead of a single rank, giving colleges decile ranges or half-point GPA increments. While some colleges have phased out the use of class rank, others continue to include it in their evaluations.

A well-organized admissions plan helps families understand how rank may be viewed and build a balanced college list accordingly. Most colleges also consider performance within the context of available opportunities. Students are not penalized for missing courses that aren’t offered — for example, Multivariable Calculus or a specific AP class.

When scheduling and commitments allow, students can strengthen their academic record by taking Dual Enrollment courses at a local college. This approach not only supplements the high school transcript but also demonstrates initiative and readiness for advanced coursework.

College entrance requirements continue to evolve. Some institutions have returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for admission, while others remain test-optional or have adopted test-blind policies.

Even at schools where test scores are not part of the admission review, standardized exams may still be requested after admission for class placement or scholarship consideration. Because these tests can influence admissions, scholarships and placement, students benefit from a clear, personalized testing strategy.

Comprehensive college counseling helps students create a detailed plan that appeals to the widest range of colleges. The SAT tends to measure reasoning and problem-solving skills, while the ACT focuses more on knowledge acquired in math, science and English. Since each exam highlights different strengths, many students take both early, compare results and then concentrate preparation on the test that best reflects their abilities.

Admissions offices are also placing greater emphasis on evidence of college-level academic work, such as AP or IB exams. Students enrolled in the IB curriculum can pursue the IB Diploma — recognized worldwide as a rigorous credential that meets university admission standards in many countries.

In some cases, particularly at UK universities, U.S. high school graduates may be required to pass multiple AP exams for admission if they have not earned the IB Diploma.

An Example of Early Initiative and Community Impact

A high school student, devoted to her community, recognized a need for change and mobilized both her peers and local leaders to make it happen. For years, she wondered why two neighborhood parks — each serving similar communities — weren’t connected. Avid bikers had voiced frustration about this gap, yet no one had acted. As a top student in social studies and a skilled public speaker through debate, she saw an opportunity to take initiative.

She began by contacting her State Senators and Assembly Representatives to ask about the project’s feasibility. After several correspondences, she was invited to the county seat to meet with a state representative. Encouraged to gather community support, she created a petition and collected signatures from local residents with help from her classmates. Along the way, she faced challenges but persevered — refining her message to persuade both neighbors and decision makers. Ultimately, the state agreed to move forward with the project.

What mattered most was not only the outcome but also the effort, planning and creativity that brought it to life. Each project is unique, reflecting a student’s individual talents, interests and resourcefulness.

These are the kinds of real-world skills — initiative, leadership, organization and perseverance — that students develop and strengthen through my Academic Coaching Program. I help students learn to set goals, follow through on their ideas and connect their passions to meaningful action. This process prepares them not only for college admissions but for success in life.

What you learn from the journey can matter more than the outcome.

Crafting strong college essays and completing applications can feel overwhelming. Guided support helps students move from uncertainty to clarity — turning a blank screen into authentic, polished writing that highlights their strengths.

This process covers every major component of the application, including the personal statement, supplemental essays and the Common Application (“the Common App”). With expert coaching, students learn to showcase their unique voice, experiences and goals while presenting a cohesive, professional profile.

How College Admissions Counseling Helps

Solution-Focused Brainstorming

Using targeted questions and prompts, I help students quickly identify meaningful stories and practical next steps.
 

Strengths-Based Reflection

Essays are built on genuine talents, accomplishments and values — not on what students think colleges “want to hear.”
 

Cultivating Written Voice

Many students can speak with ease but need guidance turning ideas into compelling prose. Coaching helps translate spoken thoughts into clear, vivid writing while maintaining authenticity.
 

Idea Development & Expansion

Encouraging students to explore different angles, add depth and make connections they might not have considered on their own.
 

Personal Statement Support

Developing a powerful narrative that shows individuality, growth and impact.
 

Supplemental Essay Guidance

Creating tailored responses that align with each school’s values and prompts.
 

Writing Resources

Recommending style and grammar tools so students strengthen mechanics and voice from the start.
 

Common App Expertise

Streamlining the application process, organizing materials and ensuring a consistent message across every section.
 

Confidence & Strategy

Building skills in writing, reflection and storytelling so each essay feels natural, authentic and purposeful.
 

With this approach, students don’t just produce stronger essays — they gain confidence in their story, develop a written voice that resonates with readers and approach the entire application process with clarity and purpose.

Most colleges request a counselor recommendation along with two teacher recommendations for each application. Teachers selected for this role should know the student well — not only their academic strengths but also their character, growth and contributions over time.

Providing ample notice allows recommenders to write thoughtful, detailed letters that present a complete picture of the student. A handwritten thank-you note or personal email is an important way to show appreciation for the time and effort they invest.

As a certified school counselor and independent educational consultant, I offer an objective perspective on which teachers or mentors can best serve as advocates. Through a strengths-based, solution-focused approach, I help students:

• Identify teachers who can speak to both academic performance and personal qualities
   
• Organize timelines and materials so recommenders have everything they need well before deadlines
   
• Communicate achievements, goals and context so letters align with the student’s applications
   
• Follow up respectfully and with gratitude, strengthening relationships that may support future references or opportunities
   

This process ensures that each recommendation letter reinforces the student’s story, highlights their accomplishments and strengthens their overall application.