Your GPA is based on the total grade points you have earned divided by the number of credit hours attempted. A grade point average can range from 1.0 to 4.0, and your college can use it as an admission requirement. The better your GPA, the more attractive you are to a college or university. Community colleges tend to not require high GPA scores for admission.
SAT and ACT results are the most sought after test scores for colleges and universities. SAT scores range from 200 to 800, with subscores for a written essay that range from 2 to 12 and multiple choice writing question scores that range from 20 to 80. The highest score possible on the ACT is 36. You may not be required to take both the ACT and SAT in order to be admitted to your college of choice. Check with the college about testing requirements.
Some colleges require you to include a writing sample with your application. This writing sample may be a personal narrative designed to introduce you to the admissions counselor, or it may be based on a list of questions from which you are required to choose. These writing samples are designed to gain an understanding of your abilities and to learn about your life outside of high school or college. If you are a member of an organization or have started organizations outside of school, then the writing sample can be an opportunity to highlight these items and show what makes you a unique candidate to the school.
Teachers, counselors, members of clergy, supervisors or other respected adults in your community who have knowledge of you and your work ethic can provide you with a letter of recommendation. Not all colleges and universities require a letter of recommendation, and those that do may have a limit on the number of letters that you can submit. A well-written letter of recommendation can round off your application, so you should exercise care when selecting who you request a letter from.