Highly Competitive Colleges

Preparation and Application


Much of the following is a review of information provided by the counseling staff and the g/t coordinator at the high school. This information may be helpful even for students who don’t intend to apply to Harvard but may be looking at the U of M – Twin Cities or UW-Madison, for instance.


The competition for acceptance into highly competitive colleges (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Georgetown, Columbia, etc.) has become very fierce because so many more high school students are going on to higher education, more families are able to pay the costs, and application to many schools is easier with internet options. Less than 1/3 of students who apply to this tier of colleges will be accepted. Selection is subjective - your student may be outstanding academically and have many of the following characteristics but still not be accepted because the college was looking for something else specific at that time (i.e., an actress, a musician, a football player, etc.). However, your chances are much better if the student:

  • took most, if not all, of the enriched, accelerated or AP classes offered,
  • excelled in the classroom,
  • was involved in extra-curricular activities (depth is more important here than breadth),
  • was recognized as a leader,
  • scored extremely well on standardized tests in the spring of the junior year,
  • displayed a special talent,
  • wrote meaningful essays (on the application forms), and
  • received outstanding recommendations from teachers and/or counselors.

In general, these colleges are looking for high school rank in the top 10% of class and test scores of 655-800 on the SAT or 29+ on the ACT. These tests may be repeated if your student is not satisfied with the test results.

Here are some tips for actions to take:

  • Consider applying early. Many schools have “early action”, where you will be told before winter break if you have been accepted, and you have until May 1 to decide. Others have “early decision,” where the student’s decision to accept early is binding. Applying through this route indicates a student’s commitment to that particular college, which adds to the student’s appeal.
  • Take the toughest courses you can – challenge yourself. Excel in the classroom; don’t take courses Pass/No Credit.
  • Choose carefully which schools you apply to. They ask on the application form about other schools you are applying to, and you are considered more “focused” if the number is 4-6 rather than 8-10 or more.
  • Ask for letters of recommendation from people who will be very enthusiastic about you and know you well enough to emphasize the “intangibles” – how you can bring recognition to that school.
  • GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNSELOR.
  • Craft essays to the question. Use this part to show your uniqueness and address something about you that hasn’t come up in the rest of the application. Start this early and have others look at it – write and rewrite. The Career Resource Center at the high school has guidelines for writing your essay.
  • Interview with an alum if it is an option. The Career Resource Center has “Guidelines for an Effective Interview.” Be prepared.
  • Visit schools to better ensure your decision will be lasting.
  • Attend the College Fair in September, go to open houses in the Spring (held at area hotels) and watch for college representatives throughout the year.
  • Don’t slack off your senior year. If your academics are inconsistent, the college can rescind your application. They are looking for a minimum of 12 classes your senior year.
  • Have a backup school in mind. Don’t put all of your hopes and dreams in one place and then have to scramble hurriedly when you are rejected.
  • Give the counselors at least two weeks of lead time to handle your application. Bring $2.00 per transcript.
  • Apply online and keep copies of everything. Type any forms which need to be filled out off-line and photocopy them. Send a self-addressed, stamped postcard with applications for the school to return upon receipt.
  • When you ask a teacher for a recommendation, give him/her a separate stamped, addressed envelope to mail the recommendation to the college. Be sure to also give the teacher a completed Recommendation Request form (available in the Career Resource Center) to provide the teacher with information about you.
  • Attend a panel discussion of students from EPHS who have gone on to highly selective colleges (if this is available) to better prepare yourself for the future.
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