That's always a tough question to answer. I could give you the obvious answer: stellar grades and test scores, AP or similarly challenging classes, at least one or two major activities that show some real depth and commitment, perhaps a special or unique talent, or a specific talent the college is looking for in any given year (athlete, musician, philosophy major). But if you stop and think about it, you know that there are thousands of great high school seniors out there that have all those qualities and then some.
My colleague says it's like playing the lottery. You have just as good a chance as anyone else, but the odds really aren't in your favor, no matter how many A's or amazing extracurriculars you have.
Perhaps this article from the Stanford University Alumni magazine will help shed some light on the process colleges go through to shape their incoming class. There are many institutional goals that schools have to consider during the admissions process, so yes, ultimately they end up turning down many very qualified applicants.
Sometimes you win the lottery, and sometimes you don't. That is not a reflection on you as a person; you're just playing the odds. , there are so many other outstanding colleges and universities out there. Why do we get hung up on just a few of them?
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