It is true that your high school grades and test scores are important factors in the college admissions decision. However, colleges are looking for more than just smart students to join their campuses. They want students with strong characters and a commitment to the community. According to BigFuture, the type of qualities that admissions counselors are looking for include:
- Leadership
- A willingness to take risks
- Initiative
- A sense of social responsibility
- A commitment to service
- Special talents or abilities
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Stefanie Niles, Dickinson College Vice President sums it up perfectly. She says, "Nothing is more important than a high school transcript showing strong academic performance in a solid curriculum. We want to admit students who will persist to college graduation, so knowing that you can do the work starts with a thorough review of high-school performance. The essay also matters; we want to see that you can write, what you write and what we can learn about you. We want to enroll students who will contribute to the life of the campus, so we are eager to see how you have contributed to your high-school community or the community in which you live."
References:
Big Future: Character Counts
Washington Post: What College Admissions Counselors Say They Want