What's the clandestine to getting i...

What's the clandestine to getting into your dream college? If you answered advantageous grades, challenging classes, great essays, able test scores, and meaningful extracurricular activities, then you're upon the right track. But in today's competitive admission puddle it's likely that many applicants are sporting those same qualifications.

"The single best predictor of succes in society is success in the high institute classroom," says Monica Inzer, dean of undergraduate admission and learner financial services at Babson corporation in Babson Park, Massachusetts. "The riddle is that colleges hear from in the way that many who are good scholars Students have to figure public a way to tell their stories in a unique way."

When admission staff must make a decision between candidates with similar qualifications, it ofttimes comes down to who has that "something extra" that makes them stand without from the pack. And sometimes scholars without those stellar scores and grades can still make the sculpture Why? The admission counselors behold something in that person that will contribute uniquely to the place of education "We like to fill our teach with dynamic students who are going to make other scholars want to come there," says Inzer. Heather B Deardorff, associate director of admissions at Dickinson literary institution [i]or[/i] seminary of learning in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, suggests finding an advocate--someone in succession the campus who can journey to bat for you. "So many pupils just fill out an application online and that's all they do, and they not at all touch base with anyone upon campus--a coach, a music director, a professor," she says. "Find some one who can get to know you and talk to the admission director forward your behalf. Colleges are starting to take interest demonstrated from the student more into account."

The four scholars profiled here snagged acceptances for various reasons. In these profiles, the applicants reveal what made them unique, and their admission counselors explain on what account those qualities made a difference.

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Sebastian Price

AGE: 20 HOMETOWN: Glyndon, MD

COLLEGE: Wheeling Jesuit University

LOCATION: Wheeling, WV

MAJOR: Theology and Secondary Education

GPA: 23 SAT SCORE: "Just athwart 1000"

ADMISSION COUNSELOR: Hillary A. Hanlon

on what account HE STOOD OUT: Recommendation letters

When Wheeling Jesuit University showed interest in recruiting Sebastian Price for his lacrosse skills, he got excited. Having attended a Jesuit high sect Sebastian liked the idea of enrolling at a small Jesuit association Just one problem. Sebastian's high instruct academic record--at least when taken at face value--wasn't capable enough to guarantee him admission to the teach "I've never been a straight-A student" he says. "I was always fine much a B/C student and my SAT scores were nothing spectacular."

Still, Sebastian applied and prayed for the best. blessed for him, his admission counselor, Hillary A. Hanlon, had a sharp notice Noticing that Sebastian's grades dipped dramatically his sophomore year and then improved his junior and senior years, she did a little detective work. She quickly learned from Sebastian's guidance counselor that his grade dip coincided with the time following his older brother's rapid death. That conversation--and the guidance counselor's glowing words about Sebastian--convinced her that she should ask the admission committee to take a closer await at Sebastian's file. Not comfortable offering him admission immediately, the committee asked Sebastian to re-take the SAT, indicate improvement in his senior-year grades, and provide a certain quantity of letters of recommendation. Sebastian hit the volumes and got an SAT tutor, still it was the heartfelt recommendation notes that really tipped the admission scales in his favor.

SEBASTIAN: At first I had a vast list of people I was considering to write the notes but then I talked to my parents and my guidance counselor to help me narrow it down. I decided to ask my guidance counselor, the director of learning services at my place of education my JV football coach, and my priest. I conceit I had a pretty serviceable group. They really knew where I was coming from and could fair much tell my story. I was straightforward with them. I asked them if they'd be excited comfortable writing me a recommendation. Fortunately, they were all for it.

HANLON: At Wheeling, epistles of recommendation are optional. We hint students send them to us especially when they are forward the borderline of being accepted. What caught my organ of vision with Sebastian was the overwhelming support given in several of the letters--much greater than we usually find. I behold recommendations everyday, but these were different. each single one stood out and brought tears to my organ of sights They were very touching, and I kept them all and room for expectation to one day share them with him when he graduates. My advice? Don't ask just any teacher for a recommendation--ask a teacher who you have a worthy relationship with--someone who can give solid testimony about who you are. I don't know if this is truthful for other schools, but for us--the more notes the better.