The Process, Part 1: Tests, Scores, Grades
If you’re still reading at this point, I’m assuming you have decided you want to go to college. So the rest of this map will focus on the application process (as the map’s title promised), specifically on what you need to submit as part of the typical college application and how to submit the best application possible. In Part 1, I will focus on the “hard” components of the application - your GPA, your transcript, your SAT/ACT scores, and some other potential tests you may need to take. Part 2 will dive into the “soft” components of the application, such as your essays and extracurricular activities. Both are equally important to a successful application.
1. GPA
Your GPA is a single number that reflects the average of all your grades from the classes you complete in high school. It is also one of the top things colleges look at for admissions decisions. The higher your GPA, the stronger your application.
Comparing your GPA to the average GPA of a school can give you a glimpse of how you may compare to the typical admitted student, and whether a school is a reach or a safety school for you. However, GPAs aren’t the end-all-be-all of applications, and you should never let a low GPA stop you from applying. As long as you meet the school’s minimum GPA requirement (which can range anywhere from 2.0 to 3.0), you’ve got a chance, and the other components of your application may lift you up. Some schools also have exceptions to their required minimum - standing out in other areas like test scores or extracurriculars can make up for a lower GPA. So make sure to check schools’ admissions websites!
image from @Laurlaur_pigs
2. Types of classes (AP, Honors, curriculum standards)
Besides the grades you achieve in your classes, colleges will also be paying close attention to what kind of classes you have taken. At a minimum, this means completing the A-G requirements (if you’re a California student) that most colleges require for admission. But to increase your competitiveness as an applicant, you’ll also want to have Advanced Prep (AP) and Honors courses under your belt. As you’d expect, the more AP/Honors courses on your transcript, and the better your grades in those courses, the more competitive your application becomes. Getting A’s in AP classes is the gold standard - it signals to colleges that you will succeed in the more challenging classes at the higher ed level.
image by @AmoNickk
For AP classes, there is also an optional AP exam that tests your knowledge of the subject. You are scored between 1-5 based on your results, the higher score being better. Getting a 3 or above has two major benefits: it is considered a “qualifying” mark, and it means you can (usually) get college credit for the AP class. That means taking AP exams and doing well on them will both boost your application and allow you to skip beginning courses in college, saving you time and money. To see what scores are needed to receive college credits at different schools, check out this tool. And to learn more about what classes to take in high school, check out our map on it here.
Note that every high school offers a different selection of AP classes, and some schools may not offer any AP classes. If you go to a school that doesn’t offer any, don’t stress - colleges take into account your school’s offerings. Taking honors courses, signing up for community college/online classes, or even self-studying for AP tests are all options as well.
1 + 2 are reflected in your high school transcript, which you will need to submit as part of your application.
3. SAT/ACT
For the last few decades, submitting a score on either the SAT or ACT has been a requirement. In recent years, a growing number of schools have made this optional, or even done away with accepting the SAT or ACT altogether. You’ll have to check the admissions website of each school you plan to apply to in order to find out. For the schools that do require them, you’ll need to arrange for your scores to be sent to them by the testing company. As you’d expect, the better your score on these tests, the higher your chance of admission. There are many options for studying for these tests, from self-studying textbooks and online resources, to taking test prep courses, to hiring a tutor.
If you’re trying to decide between the SAT and ACT, here’s a helpful comparison of the tests. Both are timed, standardized tests that include multiple-choice and essay questions, and whose scores are used to determine admission to schools as well as merit-based scholarships. The biggest difference is that the ACT includes a science section, and the SAT has a no-calculator allowed math section. Taking both tests is also an option, and might be a wise one, as some people do much better on one test versus the other. Just make sure to sign up for a test date several months before applications are due, so that you have time to retake or reschedule your test if needed!
4. Optional Tests
There are several other tests that are either optional or required only for students meeting certain conditions. I’ll cover them briefly here:
SAT Subject Tests: You may have heard that SAT subject tests are another component of college applications. While this used to be true, they were officially discontinued as of June 2021. If you have already taken subject tests and want to know if a college will consider your scores, you’ll have to check with each school website individually.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Particularly meant for international students, the TOEFL is another standardized test, this time measuring English speaking ability, that you may be interested in. If English is your second language, a good score on this test can help demonstrate your proficiency in it. So if you are applying to an English speaking school, or to a school in an English speaking country, consider taking this test!