‘Today’ readers get college admission advice

Considering how competitive the college admissions process has become, it’s no wonder students — and their parents — are looking for an edge. In her new book, Elizabeth Wissner-Gross, author of “What Colleges Don’t Tell You (And Other Parents Don't Want You to Know),” shares tips for how students can create an application that puts them in a better position to be admitted to their choice school. “Today” asked Wissner-Gross, who appears on the show, to give our readers some advice.

Dear Elizabeth: I am a high school student. Over the years, I have done well in my academics, taking AP classes and achieving a GPA over 4.00. However, I am scared that the colleges that I apply for may overlook that and look more at my extracurricular activities, of which I have not done much. Will this in any way hurt my chances of getting into the college of my choice? Should I focus on my academics in my personal essay? — Clayton in California

Dear Clayton: You have good reason to be concerned. College admission has become so competitive that the most sought-after colleges are turning away 85 percent of their applicants, most of whom have top GPAs, AP scores and standardized test scores like you. The most competitive colleges will want to know what made you stay away from extracurricular activities in high school. And they’ll see this pattern as an indication that you’ll probably continue to be inactive in college. (Note that if you were holding an after-school job, internship, or you were writing a novel, or had major family responsibilities that filled your non-school time, these may be viewed as even more impressive than extracurricular school activities.)

The good news is that even if you’re a senior who cannot account for your previous years’ after-school time, you still can turn this around and make yourself appealing. Start by looking at your talents and interests, and create some serious goals for yourself in keeping with these abilities. For example, are you a talented photographer, who might create a photo exhibit at a local library? Or someone who goes to a lot of parties, who might arrange an innovative and lucrative fund-raiser for a good cause like cancer research? Might you be a social reformer who could create an innovative recycling program, tutoring program, or other community help program where you live? Such activities should be the focus of your essay. Colleges are very attracted to pioneers, innovators, and movers and shakers. You still have a few months left to become one.

Dear Elizabeth: My daughter carried a 3.7 GPA prior to her junior year, when she was hired at a local water park. During her all-important junior year she earned a 2.5 GPA, which has drastically lowered her cumulative GPA. How do we explain that her work is cutting into her schooling? She worked in order to contribute to our family. I am a single mom with three children. She bought a car, pays for her own insurance, cell phone, clothes, and all her extracurricular activities. She also has a savings account for college. — Marie in Michigan

Dear Marie: Your daughter should probably focus one of her college application essays on her work experience at the water park, which I assume is a year-round job, since you say it cut into her school work. The admission officer should gain an understanding of why this job was so time consuming and how it impacted her grades. The essay, however, should be upbeat and focus on one of her most impressive deeds or innovations at the water park. Did she save a life? Did she help the park to double its business? Did she design a new water ride? Did she design a publicity campaign? Did she help the other workers get along? She should not necessarily emphasize the material things that she used the money to buy, even though a parent might think that such purchases demonstrate responsibility. Not all college admissions officers will share these values. Most won’t be impressed, for example, that she worked to buy her own car, cell phone and wardrobe, rather than devoting her out-of-school time to excellence in education. Lots of kids with higher grades don’t own cars.  

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