Your grade point average -- both weighted and unweighted -- factors into the college admissions process. Similar to your GPA, class rank can also be one of the determining factors in gauging your competitiveness among your high school peers. Some colleges recruit valedictorians and salutatorians, offering full or partial scholarships. If you are part of the top 10 percent of your high school class, your scores may help you get into some of the more competitive colleges.
Standardized testing requirements vary by college, although the scores for each test are not always set in stone. Most colleges will accept either the ACT or the SAT as part of their standardized testing scores. Some colleges award scholarships to people who have achieved a certain ACT or SAT score. For example, if the SAT entrance requirement for a school is set at 1300, the score required to receive a scholarship may be 1400.
Some college applications use open-ended questions, which can be answered in one or two paragraphs, to acquire more knowledge about you as a potential student. An example of an open-ended question may include asking you how a piece of literature has changed your perspective of the world. Other colleges may require you to write one or more essays -- which can be four to five paragraphs long -- to learn more about you, and to scrutinize your writing and exposition skills. An example of a college entrance essay is one in which you describe yourself, particularly expounding upon your strengths and weaknesses. Have a trusted adult, such as a teacher, look over your essays before you submit them to ensure that you are communicating effectively.
Some college applications may require personal or academic references, and letters of recommendation. Other components of a college application are not necessarily required for college entrance, but they can boost your chances. These include extracurricular activities; community service and involvement; athletics; and leadership experiences. Most colleges have an admissions tab on their website where you can find a majority of the entrance requirements for the school. Some colleges will also have other entrance requirements on their websites, such as SAT II scores, school-specific essays or references. If you have questions about your chosen college's entrance requirements, contact an admissions officer from that college.