Admission to a four-year college is selective and the number of applications may exceed the number of available enrollment spaces. So, how do you get your application to stand out and be noticed by college admissions?

Obviously, the most significant factor is your overall academic record, which includes your grade point average. It also includes the rigors of your program, grade trends, and your willingness to take advantage of educational opportunities at the community college level.

What are the key points that will strengthen you application?

1. A "Direct Transfer" Associate Degree. The key word here is direct. Do you have a focused major that prepares you to enter their college and continue toward a four-year degree and graduation?

2. An Associate Degree with an anticipated and realistic plan. Do you say that you are a business major, but you haven't taken any of the Business prerequisites? If you haven't completed your prerequisites, explain your plan for completion. You are an asset to their school if you can hit the ground running.

3. An inability to progress at the community college, after you have taken all the courses that pertain to your major at the community college level and you need to be at a four year to continue.

4. Strong preparation for your major and solid grades in those courses

5. Positive grade trends that point towards continued success

6. Related major experiences, paid or unpaid. Present something that shows that you are truly interested and committed to this major.

7. Demonstrated diversity/multicultural experience

8. Your personal statement

What will hinder your opportunity for admission?

1. Poor grades and erratic academic history without any kind of an explanation.

2. Unrealistic plans for your AA

3. Downward grade trends

4. Lack of focus

5. Mismatch at current institution, like saying "I want to study law" when they have no pre-law program.

Personal statements

Why are you choosing this major and their institution? Think hard and deep. Be genuine, find the passion and expand on it. What do you want to accomplish at their institution? This goes beyond getting and choosing a major and completing a degree; or that you just love their college.

Specifics:

1. Clearly defined academic goals.

2. Completion of your major prerequisites and related experiences

3. On-going contribution to and/or experiences with diversity

4. Special talents

5. Special circumstances, hardships and how you have overcome these challenges,

6. Examples of your leadership and take charge attitude. In other words..do you have what it takes to complete this degree?

7. Visit the campus. Tell them who you spoke to and what you learned. This shows them that you are willing to put in the effort!

You can be much more in control of this process then you might think. Show them your distinctive characteristics and give them the opportunity to select you for admissions to their college.