From the Office of College Counselling
more difficult than a college entrance examination
will help boost interest in students’ application
or courses based on competition. The description of from admissions counselors. Of course, this is not
these courses should be submitted to the university compulsory for high school students, but for some
as part of the school profile. students, it is better to have such opportunities
written explicitly in their applications.
Point 12, class rank, is not necessary as many high
schools, including Keystone, do not rank students. Generally speaking, universities look for reasons
The average GPA or SAT data provided by some to admit rather than decline applicants, so do not
schools, however, can be used as a reference point. assume that one or two factors can determine
final university results. The key is whether you can
Secondly, the test scores mentioned in Point 5 refer present a complete application, paint a picture of
to standardized tests, such as the ACT (American a balanced and comprehensive student, and give
College Testing) or the SAT (Scholastic Assessment enough reasons for the admissions office to extend
Test). Of course, many schools do not require a letter of acceptance to you. Do not waste time
these tests for admissions. What is described here wondering whether you'll be rejected if your score
is a general requirement across most colleges and on the standardized tests is 50-100 points lower as
universities. In fact, more than 800 American long as you meet the average results required for
universities, including those in the top 200, do not admission or whether you won't be admitted to a
require standardized test results. Many schools university without working experience.
such as Michigan State University exempt interna-
tional students from submitting SAT scores. Even
students who cannot provide a satisfactory result
Embodying a Spirit of Service
of standardized tests or fail to take part in any of
these tests due to the external factors or conditions How does one stand out among so many other
can still have many options as alternatives to sub- competitive applicants? Do admissions officers
mitting standardized test scores. really go through the above factors one by one?
Most of the 17 key factors for consideration will be In considering these questions, the first word
familiar to applicants, but there are also a few that that comes to mind is ‘service’. Turning the Tide:
Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good
deserve special attention.
Through College Admissions is a report published
Many people are unaware what Point 11, student's by the Harvard Graduate School of Education in
demonstrated interest, means, but it is also a 2016 that has triggered a heated discussion among
critical factor. Some examples of showing interest educators across the United States. Harvard joined
in a university are through visiting several univer- more than 80 well-known American colleges and
sities and their admissions offices, or attending or universities in promoting the slogans “Making
registering personal information to a school rep- Caring Common” and “Make Your School a Caring
resentative when a university visits your school, or School”. Keystone recently became one of the
participating in alumni activities or summer camps research schools associated with this project.
of the university, or communicating with the rep-
resentatives of the admissions office by email. In the report, Harvard University suggested several
With regards to Point 17, work experience, any spective students to help them stand out in their
corresponding internships or work experience application (see next page).
keywords and provided recommendations for pro-
The Keystone Magazine 95