Top grades, test scores don’t guarantee admission to Ivies
Dear Mr. Bradshaw,
My application has been rejected by several top colleges and I am upset. I have a 4.250 GPA, 1450 SAT/1600, and ranked 25/600 in my graduating class. I have yet to hear from any schools in the Ivy League. I will probably end up going to the University of Michigan, which is my safety school. I am hoping my choice of colleges will increase my chances of getting a good job when I graduate. My question is, what did I do wrong? Signed,
A very upset student
Dear Upset Student,
College acceptance notices are beginning to come in for high school seniors and along with the joy of acceptance come the tears of the rejected. I receive any number of emails each year asking the same question: Why was I rejected? I can see why you are confused and wondering what more you could have done.
First of all, do not despair, the University of Michigan is considered a top college. With a 26 percent admissions rate it ranks among the elite colleges in the world, offering outstanding programs in business, economics, biology, English, mechanical engineering, political science and psychology. It also has a four-year graduation rate of 93 percent, something to think about if financial considerations are important. While you did well in school on the basis of your grades and test scores, this represents only a small fraction of accomplishment compared to students from around the world who are competing for the few slots at premiere colleges and universities.
When you apply to college you are competing against a much wider spectrum of students, a global composite with resumes of achievement approaching near perfection. There are students with firsts in everything, and that is only the beginning. Compared to other students they have a profound level of maturity, competence and confidence that separates them from other applicants.
It helps if you have a clear career goal in mind as you choose your college major and select your classes.
Since employment is the main goal of most college and university graduates, new graduates need to remember that effective communications skills top the list of qualities a new employer is looking for. A polished CV to get your foot in the door will reap dividends. Most colleges have career counseling departments that will assist you in your eventual job search.
What employers are looking for most today are “soft skills” like creativity, critical thinking, sociability, and passion — not high school GPA or SAT scores and not a diploma from an Ivy school. What students need first, in terms of finding a good career, is not an Ivy degree but a solid sense of self — your skills, passions and goals plus a solid work ethic.
If you do not get your top college choice, there are alternatives. Many state schools have honors programs that have smaller classes, access to top professors and do not come with the price tag of an Ivy.
Since a career is your eventual goal, make sure that you are taking advantage of everything the University of Michigan has to offer. Many of their programs offer scholarships, which will help you financially.
All is not lost — your college experience is what you make it, and opportunities abound if you keep your eyes open.