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What Admissions Officers Look for in Applications (Hint: It’s Not Just Grades!)
- futurefindersllc
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
If college admissions were just about grades and test scores, applications would be a lot simpler. But as any parent who has stared at a blank “Tell us about yourself” essay knows, that’s not the case.
Admissions officers are not just looking for smart students—they’re looking for the right students to build a diverse, dynamic, and interesting freshman class. So how do they decide? Let’s break it down.
1️⃣ Strong Academics (But It’s Not the Whole Story)
Yes, good grades matter—but a perfect GPA doesn’t guarantee anything. Colleges look at:
Course rigor: Did your teen challenge themselves with AP, IB, or honors classes?
Grade trends: A strong upward trend can help even if early grades were shaky.
Context: Admissions officers compare students within their own high school’s offerings.
💡 Reality Check: A 4.0 isn’t a magic ticket—colleges want to see students who pushed themselves within their school’s opportunities.
2️⃣ A Compelling Personal Story
Here’s where most families get stuck: What should my teen actually write about?
Admissions officers want to know the person behind the application. They’re looking for:
✅ Authenticity—No “trying to sound impressive.” Be real.
✅ Growth & Impact—How has your teen changed or made a difference?
✅ A Clear Theme—A strong application tells one cohesive story across essays, activities, and letters of recommendation.
💡 Here’s the secret: I’ve developed a detailed method to help students uncover their unique story—the one that makes them stand out from the pile. I break it all down in my course.
3️⃣ Meaningful Extracurricular Involvement
Colleges don’t care about how many activities a student is in—they care about depth and impact.
⚡ What matters most?
Leadership & initiative (Did they start something? Lead a team? Solve a problem?)
Consistency (Long-term commitment beats a long list of random clubs.)
Passion projects (Something they did because they love it, not just to impress colleges.)
💡 Insider Tip: A “stand-out” extracurricular doesn’t have to be huge—it just has to be unique and personal. I help students discover theirs in my course!
4️⃣ Essays That Actually Sound Like a Teenager Wrote Them
College essays are not formal five-paragraph school essays. They’re personal, engaging, and real.
💡 What admissions officers look for:
A unique voice (Does it sound like an actual 17-year-old?)
A moment of insight, change, or growth
An easy-to-follow structure (Yes, storytelling matters!)
💡 Secret: Most students choose the wrong essay topic. There’s a method to picking one that makes admissions officers remember your teen. I cover this in my course.
So, How Do You Put It All Together?
A great college application isn’t just a checklist of grades and activities—it’s a well-crafted story. The best applications are:
✅ Strategic (Every piece fits together.)
✅ Authentic (Not what you think colleges want to hear.)
✅ Memorable (Something that makes them say, “Wow, I want this student here!”)
And here’s the thing—figuring out that story is what I do best.
🎯 In my course, I walk parents through my step-by-step method for helping students craft an application that stands out. Want to learn how?
Sign up for a discount here → https://bit.ly/3QoRH0w
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