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Adriana
Student
Laredo, Texas
4
Questions
Asked
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What factors matter most in the admissions decision?
I'm about to finish my first semester of Senior year. There's so much to plan ahead regarding scholarships, housing, etc. I'm trying to figure out what I should do for next summer to be fully prepared.
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1 answer
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hello! One of the biggest factors in admissions is your academic record, especially your grades and the strength of your coursework. Colleges look at your overall GPA, but they also pay attention to whether you've tried your best and improved over time. Even if your first semester wasn't perfect, you still have time to finish strong.
Another big factor is what you do outside of school. This includes clubs, sports, volunteering, part-time jobs, or even family responsibilities. Colleges don't expect you to do everything, they just want to see commitment. It's better to stick with a few activities you care about rather than many you don't. When planning for next summer, you can think about doing something meaningful, like a job or volunteer work. Even working on a personal project or learning a new skill can look good because it shows motivation and responsibility.
Colleges also care about your personality and character. They learn about this through your essays, teacher recommendations, and sometimes interviews. They want to understand what kind of person you are, how you handle challenges, and what you might bring to their campus.
With steady effort and good planning, you'll be ready for the next steps of your college journey. Good luck.
Another big factor is what you do outside of school. This includes clubs, sports, volunteering, part-time jobs, or even family responsibilities. Colleges don't expect you to do everything, they just want to see commitment. It's better to stick with a few activities you care about rather than many you don't. When planning for next summer, you can think about doing something meaningful, like a job or volunteer work. Even working on a personal project or learning a new skill can look good because it shows motivation and responsibility.
Colleges also care about your personality and character. They learn about this through your essays, teacher recommendations, and sometimes interviews. They want to understand what kind of person you are, how you handle challenges, and what you might bring to their campus.
With steady effort and good planning, you'll be ready for the next steps of your college journey. Good luck.