Sure, everybody wants college admission in a top university. However, be careful not to fall into the “Ranking Rathole”, as things can end up badly if you take this route.
Choosing the right college can be an arduous task. There is an inordinate amount of information on the Internet. Please be aware that what is a top university for your neighbour might not be a top university for you. While you may take into account the ranking of a college, do realize that rankings are subjective. Factors to take into account when selecting a college include cost, size, major you want to pursue, and location. There are some outstanding colleges and universities in the U.S. that are, unfortunately, not “popular” with international students in particular. A good college counsellor can help you narrow down your target universities. Having selected a set of your own “top universities”, you must realize that the college application process includes both objective and subjective criteria. The objective category consists of academic and SAT scores as well as Advanced Placement Report and anything else that has a grade attached to it – Olympiads and college courses are examples. The subjective criteria comprise everything else: activities in or outside school that show your character and preparedness for college: leadership, empathy, problem solving, major-related projects among others. These are not measurable as they do not come with a score. Nevertheless, when it comes to college admissions, the subjective criteria are the difference between being accepted or rejected by a university.
