Earn excellent grades throughout high school to establish a high grade point average. Show colleges that you challenged yourself by taking Advanced Placement and Honors classes, which are weighed more when computing your GPA. Having a high GPA will increase your chances of acceptance into top colleges. For example, 69 percent of incoming freshmen at Stanford in 2010 had an average GPA of 4.0 or higher.
Participate in school clubs, sports and volunteer organizations while in high school. Taking part in extracurricular activities will reveal your dedication, talent, determination and leadership, all personal characteristics colleges value. Extracurricular activities will also help set you apart from other applicants.
Take the SAT and ACT assessment tests, which determine a student's knowledge in writing, reading and math. Although colleges place less importance on SAT or ACT scores than curriculum and GPA when evaluating applicants, most still establish an admission range. Your test scores will help you choose colleges with a higher likelihood of acceptance.
Apply for scholarships and financial aid to reduce the costs of college. Many students may feel they cannot afford to attend college because of its many expenses including books, tuition, fees and room and board. Scholarships exist for almost everything including athletics, hobbies, talents and academics. Visit FastWeb.com to find scholarships that match your profile. Also fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for federal assistance such as grants, work-study and loans.
Fill out admission applications for colleges you would like to attend. Choose several alternatives in case you are not accepted to your top choice. The CollegeBoard website recommends sending five to eight applications to ensure you are accepted to at least one school. If required, write an original entrance essay and ask teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, employers or volunteer organizers to write letters of recommendations.