College Admissions 101: What Do Colleges Look For? | The Princeton Review

[@ThePrincetonReview]

What college admission question would you like us to tackle next? Let us know in the comments!

[@fahimimtiaz2153]

Okay, its from point 2(standardized tests). Should I take the tests with writing option?

[@ThePrincetonReview]

@@fahimimtiaz2153 As a rule of thumb, we tend to advise: yes! (And practice in advance for that, too.) In general, it's better to write the optional essay now-when you're already taking the exam-so you can obviate having to retake the entire exam in the future should you end up needing that section. (That being said, if you really struggle with it, and you're certain it won't be required of you, you might consider forgoing it. Each student is different!)

[@zaariahc3042]

How do flvs courses look to colleges? I have 7 AICE classes under my belt and I wanted to take some flvs classes that I was interested in, I was think about 6 courses for the most. While it would help my GPA a little bit, I want to take them because I am generally interested in them.

[@terryj.gibson5254]

1001

[@redraymondreddington853]

After coming out of 3 months crazy Shanghai lockdown, I can't believe with 15,000 USD, I still can't find a University in the USA for this Fall 2022.......please any advice or recommendation for cheap schools with high acceptance rate. I have a gap year of 5 to 7 years in my certificates.

[@hadiaamini9479]

1. GPA and if u challenge your self in hs 2. Test score: SAT, ACT...(can also give u scholarship) 3. College easy 4. Recommendations letter 5. Demonstrated interest 6. Ur list extracurricular activities

[@emdadmahfuz645]

Trust me! I watch this video everyday! So that I stay motivated. I am trying my best to get into any IVY league college, I want to cry tears of joy when I get accepted into Princeton. Let's see what happens...

[@ThePrincetonReview]

We are rooting for you!

[@emdadmahfuz645]

@@ThePrincetonReview I'm a big fan of sir Albert Einstein, for me Princeton university is THE BEST one because I would really get to walk on his very footprints. I am a junior at my highschool now, and I am trying to challenge myself as much as possible, other than that I work on practical demonstration on small things. A failure after hours of try makes me very happy to be honest. I wish I could go to Princeton for more research facilities and team up with other crazy guys like me

[@rihannaramkissoon8542]

GOOD LUCK U CAN DO IT!!!😁😊😍😙😗

[@alexandremoreau1300]

がんばろう

[@lauranorman3045]

Good luck and work hard! :))

[@MyrahOfficial]

I can't count how many times this guy shook his head😂 anyways jokes apart, awesome vid

[@MaxwellChan0]

Play it in 2x speed

[@cynsrsly1545]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tahatariq2424]

Background music was too loud!

[@gigabites809]

This guy is way too happy for me

[@yaritzelmejia6236]

i guess Im not going to collage

[@l.i.b6908]

Itzelina•_• 91 it’s probably because you can’t even spell college 😂

[@caratstaymoodzmulti]

Yes you can. Everyone's path looks different, but all can reach the same destination.

[@floofisq]

LOL SAME and i dont wanna go either

[@RayesReflections]

@@l.i.b6908 lmao

[@MehfuzaAhmed01]

Well this might sound weird but I come from a place where we never heard of counselors, never heard of IB, AP, SAT etc etc. But still dared to dream of Princeton. Everytime I go through the videos of people who made it to an Ivy, I cry thinking that I always thought I was no less than those who are privileged enough to have so much exposure in their life. For me, winning small debate competitions and making some money out of it was a matter of pride. The school you study matters. Money to study in those schools matter It breaks my heart that even though I have dared to dream, will I be able to fulfill it or cry the rest of my life. Whoever is reading this, please pray for me.. I can't even ask money to my parents for filling up the application form thinking I might be a burden. But prayers work.. Do remember me in your prayers so that I can make my parents proud 🙃💙

[@wower6652]

Don’t, colleges don’t define you don’t cry for a college that down appreciate you(if you didn’t get in). Don’t stress, there’s plenty of ways and opportunities to be susses in life.

[@plasticbag501]

good luck! i hope where ever you end up, you're happy!!!! :)

[@justthev9074]

I will pray 🙏

[@harmoniouscacophony379]

I did NOT know about the "demonstrated interest," "tracking" thing. Dang.

[@emox6400]

Many top schools don’t track demonstrated interest. But applying Early Devision is the ultimate demonstrated interest!

[@servant0017]

Does volunteering in the community count as extra circular? For example, volunteering at the humane society or in a retirement home? What I mean is compared to extra circular activities that are ran through the high school are they valued the same or less or more?

[@MonseStClair]

Where is the IB community at!?

[@juanmary6155]

Hell yeah

[@spongebozz8704]

HERE!

[@joestar8112]

Here, and still alive.

[@iamnotoriginal3848]

What the fuck is that?

[@shivmotwani9780]

I am Not original its the international baccalaureate you can find detailed information on google

[@danika_brennan]

I’m in 8th grade already stressing myself out to get into Princeton. But it’ll be worth it in the end

[@engun7778]

same

[@verticalexperz3i426]

never heard of Princeton whats up with that?

[@krimsmelody3265]

Me fr

[@fahimayasmin3775]

I have two important questions 1. Do all applicants have to go through live interview? Or is it optional in the application? 2. Is it harder to get into the same college with decided major? For example, Computer Science is a very competitive major, a lot of pupils have been applying to different schools saying the want to major in CS. So the question is, can chances of getting accepted to same college fluctuate( increase or decrease) because of one's decided major.

[@ThePrincetonReview]

Great questions! It depends on each school's application requirements (and the availability of interviewers). We recommend that, if offered an interview, you avail yourself of the opportunity! More info about interviews-and our recommendations for how to ace yours-here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmXWZmmig8-XisU

[@ftferlo8868]

@@ThePrincetonReview does making a dnd group cou t as extracurricular activities

[@johnboyca9434]

@@ftferlo8868 Lmao😂😂 don't just don't

[@jamesbedukodjograham5508]

You know the US College Admissions is quite rigorous but it depends on the School but surely the High School Transcript and the essay are crucial. The SAT and other Test Scores are also important. Another matter is to use your Intution about what School would be good and great for you out there

[@ianhuangncubed]

Thank you so much! I’m gonna be a freshman in highschool next year so I still have a lot of time to prepare, but I like to think ahead. This is very valuable information. Also, at 1:50 those were some pretty bad voice cracks xD But any who, thanks again!

[@walkabout3246]

OMG, I didn't even notice those, that's so funny!

[@stephonmcroyal4776]

Thank you si much! Now I know what I need to get into the school I wannt

[@tonyzhang4368]

I heard colleges look at social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok, VSCO). How can they if your Instagram account is private?

[@cheapmirage3579]

It’s impossible for them to see what you post if it’s on private no matter what. Plus I think they only look at social media if you include it in your application. I’m not 100% sure on that though as long as you haven’t posted anything racist, homophobic, etc then I wouldn’t worry about it.

[@lemonlife8722]

I have a question... might sounds dumb but do colleges focus more on junior grades? also.. when our grades are sent are there our grades from all four years or just junior? thank you!!

[@Esmacapuk1123]

they only look at ur 3th and 4th grades

[@Iainttrynadoxxmyself]

@@DavidLCWest I think they meant 3rd and 4th years of highschool.

[@RayesReflections]

@@Esmacapuk1123 in that case I’m not going to college- I got Fs and Ds in 3rd and 4th

[@leelarawat2450]

@@Iainttrynadoxxmyself Is it actually that way?

[@thegreatdragonator1891]

His head shaking a lot is amazing

[@tempestpncr6335]

So I got my 2nd degree black belt in 8th grade and I want to put that on my college application. Does it matter what grade I got it in?

[@mstudio7970]

@@DavidLCWest i know this answer is pretty old but the guy was talking about karate or some other martial art. He asked if it's relevant the grade in which he obtained the black belt. It has nothing to do with school I believe, maybe he had a martial art club at his school but it's still irrelevant,

[@maddieyorba8754]

For extracurriculars, will a college be mad or be less likely to accept you if I did an activity sophomore through senior year instead of freshman through senior year? I wasn't involved freshman year and I'm just wondering if that will have a huge effect on me. Thank you.

[@ThePrincetonReview]

A three-year commitment to an activity is impressive! We would be very surprised if your participation in an extracurricular for sophomore through senior years affected you in any way that wasn't positive. That being said, every application tells a story, and there may be other factors from your freshman year that colleges will consider. But discovering a passion and then sticking with that activity for three years is great! (It's even better if you took on increasing responsibility/leadership.) Congrats on your pursuit of excellence during high school, and please know that we're rooting for you!

[@maddieyorba8754]

@@ThePrincetonReview thank you! :)

[@emox6400]

Current class applying to colleges had no activities freshman year!

[@caratstaymoodzmulti]

I would love for these videos to be captioned. Thanks.

[@quarter25_]

Guys, I need help. I’ve taken 9 APs in high school so far, made at least a 4 on every exam, but my SAT score is only a 1090 right now. I have a 4.0 GPA, taken only the hardest classes and aced them, and have marching band as a extra curricular activity. Do you think I could get into UGA?

[@magicagrnub620]

Yep that'll affect you heavily. I don't think your qualified bro sorry.

[@kathrynowl5788]

I'm no expert, but I don't want you to write off your chances of getting in- because you look like you're in a pretty good place to be accepted. Keep in mind too that you can retake the SAT if you want (I'm going to). You'll be just fine either way :)

[@magicagrnub620]

@@kathrynowl5788 Not really, he won't be.

[@jincao4139]

I’m a freshman and I finish 1 year of my language class. I want to change to Spanish since the language I’m learning is pretty hard, should I change?

[@childish_cubeproductions3439]

Yeah I’m fucked

[@КЭРИМУмур]

I am the ukranian refugee that born in canada in pass , arrived 13 may 2022. I heard in the college there is lessons for the student . When you can go by the credits and pay per the month. How it works the system for the colleges.?

[@No-bz9tw]

Does freshman gpa count towards the total gpa? Does college counselor count freshman gpa?

[@danahuegray1011]

Does it matter if you got suspended in high school or does it depend on what you got suspended for

[@melissa5193]

Danahue Gray I believe it matters but there will be a section to explain yourself on why

[@muhammadrafiqulislamkhan6994]

Hello Sir How r you? I gyess well. When searching which questions suitable before admitting college I find you. I must say you have so much energy. Smiley face and you have a quality to tranfer happiness. I do not why but I guess your students so lucky that they have a great counselor like you. Thank you.

[@klareadokuru]

Do colleges know if you’ve applied before ?

[@pallagarwal3643]

Are these criterions the same for a masters in the said colleges in US?

[@razzgupta3980]

100 of videos recommended by KZbin but this one cleared all my doubts 👏💓

[@roslynjones5886]

Question. My granddaughter will be graduating High School at 16 years old. Her Aunt thinks that is too young to go away to college. If anyone has some advise on this matter, I would appreciate all opinions. Thank you.

[@owencai9670]

I’m 15this year but I really want to go to a top50 college in 1year but how do I really need a gpa

[@curt3658]

Are IGCSE results enough to get in the universities

[@Journey2UK9966]

Hello maam i am confused. could you clear my point. The question is that does new universities ( like whose established/ found in 2013 or 2014) and old universities ( like found in 1925 or 1991) is matter for getting a US student visa??

[@seemarana9819]

do my class 9 marks matter for college admissions?

[@camilledonohoe5822]

If you mean freshman year in high school, I am not an expert, but from what I understand I believe they do, at least a little. I heard at the end you have an overall GPA and since your freshman year is considered the easiest, the boost might be nice. I don't know much more beyond that, hope I helped though!

[@richikchakraborty178]

@@camilledonohoe5822 Can Perfect SAT and Subject test scores balance a low GPA less than 2.0?

[@nacho6311]

@@richikchakraborty178 it tells them u tryna finesse the system

[@kaustav5947]

No sorry bro

[@beauty4717]

Greetings, I had a college admissions interview & received an email for a 2nd interview. Question, what should I expect on a 2nd interview? I will like to be much more prepared. I am so nervous.

[@a.h.i267]

What if you switch schools?

[@sustains8489]

I graduated from high school twelve years ago, and now I have a bachelor degree , but I want to apply for studying another bachelor degree , so do I really have to send recommendation letters. By the way I'm an international student. Also when they ask me for the last certification that I earned, should I give them my high school certificate or bachelor degree certificate though I want to use my high school certificate to apply for bachelor degree again. Thank you.

[@tamnguyen-ou6es]

does taking a 2 year gap affect the admission process in any negative ways?

[@freakyunderdog]

Not at all, as long as it's justified as to why you did take it, so you have to try to convince colleges about why you took it,

[@nealdaigle1925]

I’m it jr high at the time and have got in a lot of trouble is that going to affect me trying to get into collage in the future

[@cathalsheehan9596]

What if our school doesn’t provide us with a GPA?

[@vip1n]

Cathal Sheehan calculate it yourself, there are many online calculators

[@vip1n]

Cathal Sheehan did you attend high school in the US? If so, you should have a gpa on your transcript.

[@visionemu2458]

I'm in my last year of High School in Sweden, I want to go to college in America, how to I sign up? Please help me, it would mean the world🙏🏼

[@kanzenki5031]

what about a homeschooled student

[@vw6585]

Do they look at our middle school grades?

[@serenitybeats1677]

Galaxy Glitter nope only high school

[@Stella-wf3vl]

@@serenitybeats1677 Most people think they only look at your high school grades (or so they say) They actually start looking at your grades starting from 8th grade to get a more wide view of all the unique things you did. And I'll tell you this. (COURSE CLASSES DON'T MATTER AS MUCH AS YOUR ELECTIVES)

[@bluesky-dd7in]

if anyone’s still looking for extracurriculars - Student Bono. they have some pretty good internships for students and they’re pretty frequently putting out opportunities too Edit: best of luck to everyone on their college apps

[@ithermadragon269]

yes i have used this service before they are very nice

[@orangetempest]

Thank you!

[@lakhnechahmed2735]

Thank you for your amazing video.

[@Wenatic]

My grade 10 quarter 4 grades was bad because of this online school bc of coronavirus and my 9th grade 4th quarter spanish 2 wasnt the best had a 60 but what if i do stellar in 11th would that make up for those 2 quarters i messed up i get good grades overall its just those 2 quarters.

[@iamnotoriginal3848]

I'm having the same problem, I usually get 80s and 90s, but this online school has killed me, my ancient lit grade is in the 20s

[@rere-fz4ep]

@@iamnotoriginal3848 i have the opposite problem since online school my grades are better, i use to be a C average student(well C or B depending on the class) now i have all A’s, ik some people say they’re struggling with online school, but it actually helped me

[@HaltonLaw]

Do UK schools prefer APs or IBs? And if I were taking APs can I go to college in the UK?

[@146ft6]

what about going to an american college while you’re from europe?

[@jalahniamcneill5676]

Sooooo does it matter if you got suspended in middle school because I did when I was in 7th grade

[@elijahbentley3986]

no, they usually just look at your high school stuff

[@EggwithSubscribers-mz9du]

The same shit also happened to me and I was a straight A student

[@rere-fz4ep]

@@EggwithSubscribers-mz9du got suspended in 6th grade, only once though, if they do i don’t think it would matter that much bc I got suspended for...fighting but I fought my bully so...🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️oh well

[@rere-fz4ep]

@@EggwithSubscribers-mz9du i got suspended on a Friday too lmao😭😭

[@simpleuploads7]

I didn’t go to high school welp KZbin is going to be my college

[@shugar4105]

so gpa is the most important in this society to get into university 😏

[@lergoclicks]

Damn. My overall GPA this freshman year is basically 3.87. is it lame enough to get into a college? ( I got 3 c's on subjects I hate ; they interrupt me the most)

[@a.beck77]

why are speaking so fast. u are speaking as if some one is running after you

[@lukeslutzky5802]

Nice

[@Iceeghosttmanee]

It’s safe to say I won’t be going to college...

[@ogolo_jah7188]

You can still go to community college

[@SWAJ_Research_Club]

Me who is literally 15 watching this🥺

[@winnie3425]

Why am I watching this I'm in 7th grade?

[@manofmatix]

You're here at the right time, do as much extra curricular activities as you can, it'll reallllllly help your application. This is something I wish I knew back then

[@poodleMammoth]

Me I'm 10

[@jjmc8205]

im so excited for College.....💀

[@fzmbi8349]

My teacher said I gotta join clubs and sports so college can accept me is that true?

[@iamnotoriginal3848]

Well fuck

[@timexyemerald6290]

ok i am dead man walking in to bottomless pit

[@nicoleamelford191]

The detailed camera ordinarily stop because indonesia histopathologically look through a hurt snowflake. rainy, clear shrimp

[@iamthestormthatisapproaching69]

This guy chugged too much caffeine

[@rexwilliams6036]

does taking a 2 year gap affect the admission process in any negative ways?