Nowadays, a college education—be it at a two-year or four-year institution—is considered almost as essential as a high school education once was. College is where students expand their horizons and hone their skills. In many cases, it is viewed as the ticket to a good job and a comfortable lifestyle.

With this growing popularity of college, the competition for slots becomes more intense, causing many students to worry about their chances of being accepted. So just what do students need to do to catch the eye of a college acceptance officer?

According to a recent survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) of 562 public and private colleges nationwide, here’s what matters most:

Day-to-day performance

Colleges view the courses students take and the grades they receive throughout high school as a major indication of how well they might do with higher level coursework. The best advice to students is to take the toughest courses they can handle right from the start. Colleges like to see students stretch themselves over the four years of high school. For example, a "B" in an advanced placement course makes a better impression than an "A" in a regular Regents-level course. Three years of Regents math and science are better than two, and four is best of all.

College board test scores

Eighty-three percent of the colleges surveyed say that SAT /ACT scores can have a big influence on students’ acceptance. For this reason, participation in college board prep courses can be a plus.

Extracurricular activities

Although colleges, particularly larger ones, seem more interested in grades and less with how students have used their free time, the benefit of extracurriculars is that students are discovering what they truly love. They are also learning to juggle, prioritize and manage their time—skills they’ll definitely need in college as in life. Where student activities can play a deciding role is with some of the smaller, private or specialized colleges. However, the emphasis should always be on quality over quantity—in other words, a commitment to one to three activities a student really cares about is better than superficial involvement in seven or eight.

Community service/volunteerism

Volunteering their time, year-round or during the summer, can help students identify career interests, gain work experience and apply classroom learning to the outside world. It also demonstrates a commitment to others and a sense of caring.

Outside work experience

This is especially a plus if students show responsibility by contributing a portion of what they’ve earned toward family and/or college expenses instead of spending it all on luxuries. The added bonus of a job means work experience and potential references.

Creative expression

Many of the smaller or specialized colleges prefer to see how students express themselves creatively. An innovative science fair project, a beautifully conceived mural, or an entrepreneurial venture are all meaningful indicators that round out the picture of the dedication and passion students bring to learning. [top]