What Makes a Competitive College Applicant?

For schools at the top of US News & World Report rankings, college admissions is more competitive than ever before. Ivy League schools like Yale and Princeton along with other public institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California schools, Georgia Tech University, and the University of Michigan, are seeing a record number of applicants every year. 

Today, we'll share key tips and actionable steps that will help you strengthen your application, maximize your potential, and increase your chances of acceptance at some of the most selective universities in the country.

How to determine if you’re a strong applicant

Before you start working on your application materials, there are several things you can do to determine your strength as an applicant (and how you can improve your profile to become a better fit). 

• Research the school’s mission statement and core values

  Your first step should be identifying the type of student these schools are looking for. What kind of community and campus is the school looking to build? By determining what the school prioritizes—research, interdisciplinary study, community service, global perspectives, etc.—you can ensure your experiences and interests align with their values. 

• See how you compare to admitted students academically

  Take a look at the data and profiles of previously admitted students to see where your GPA, ranking, SAT/ACT score, and AP/IB scores fall. Are you above the middle 50%? Did you take rigorous courses for all four years of high school and reach an advanced level of study in math, science, English, history, and foreign language? Take a look at Penn’s Incoming Class Profile for 2028—these students reported ACT scores between 34-36 or SAT scores between 1510-1560. 

• Evaluate the real-world impact of your extracurriculars

  One way students can set themselves apart is through unique and meaningful extracurricular activities. Colleges want to see students gaining hands-on experience and making a meaningful difference in real-world settings. Do you have leadership roles in school clubs or other organizations? Are you a committed volunteer? How can you extend your impact beyond what you are currently doing?

• Ensure you have high-value major-related experiences 

  Finally, consider if you are a good fit for your intended major. Do you have a compelling narrative that explains why you’re passionate about your field of study? Have you completed high-level research projects, gotten professional work experience, or won international/national awards?    

Now, let’s take a look at a few examples!

Cornell University

Examining Cornell’s values, we can see that they are looking for well-rounded, passionate, and curious students. Former B2A students accepted at Cornell played musical instruments and sports, researched in lab settings, and participated in humanities-focused hobbies such as debate or STEM experiences like robotics. In addition to dedicating their time to various pursuits, the majority of these accepted students still managed to place within the top 15% of their class! 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Previous B2A students admitted to MIT were high achieving and at the top of their class (around the top 2%) with near-perfect SAT scores, published research, and even some pending patents. For awards, students performed exceptionally and placed in the top percentage of students nationally on exams like the AMC, AIME, and USACO. Additionally, these students have advanced STEM experience through honors summer math camps, research programs, and knowledge of multiple coding languages. Many of these students also used their science and math skills to give back to their communities in impactful ways—designing apps, innovating physical devices, or even founding nonprofits. 

UT Austin 

If you are in the top 5%

If you are a Texas resident graduating from a Texas high school within the top 5% of your class, then you are eligible for automatic admission to UT Austin. However, this does not mean you will be guaranteed your major of choice. 

In a PBS segment investigating the reinstated standardized testing requirement policy at UT Austin, President Jay Hartzell discussed how UT Austin uses standardized test scores for admissions. The school has found a correlation between students who test higher on the SAT/ACT and graduation rates, and students are “put into the right colleges” based on their standardized test scores. Essentially, even students in the top 5% may not be accepted to their first choice major if their test scores are not strong enough for competitive majors. Improving your SAT/ACT score and making sure your application supports the major you are applying to are two ways to improve your acceptance chances at UT Austin. 

If you are outside the top 5% 

If you fall outside the top 5% of your graduating class—or if you aren’t a Texas resident—then you have a much lower chance of acceptance at UT Austin. However, we have seen students with certain qualities achieve admissions success. 

Let’s check out UT Austin’s mission and values. It is quite clear that they value students who are knowledge seekers, leaders, and students with community-oriented mindsets. Our accepted B2A students outside of auto-admittance at UT Austin demonstrated these qualities and more! 

Other factors that made a difference in acceptance chances included the high school the student attended and strategic choice of major (for more information on how choice of major can improve your college acceptance chances, please see this blog post). We also found admitted students had a strong connection and palpable passion for UT Austin—something we encourage our students to illustrate by conducting in-depth college research on opportunities colleges offer. 

Are you considering applying to an Ivy League school or to another top college like UT Austin? Want a better understanding of your chances of acceptance and guidance on how to become a more competitive applicant to a specific school? Schedule a meeting with one of our experienced counselors and receive personalized advice on how to improve your profile. 

Click here to sign-up for our Gateway program to receive all-inclusive assistance with applications to up to 5 schools on your college list!