With the stress of college applications underway. Students may have concerns about what actually needs to be on the application. Students beginning the college application process usually assume that getting accepted comes down to a few factors, such as GPA, test scores, or maybe sports. But according to college admissions and school counselors, there’s much more to it than that. Colleges today are looking more towards well-rounded and involved students rather than a high GPA.  

While college admissions are becoming more diverse in what they look for, a strong academic record is still a core factor of admission. As Claire Contreras, high school counselor at Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA), explained, GPA, Math, and English Performance are some of the major factors colleges still look for in admissions. 

However, Contreras emphasizes that admission teams don’t just want to see strong grades; they also want to see students pushing themselves beyond their limits. 

“It’s a combination of how you are as a student. How have you increasingly challenged yourself?” Contreras said. Colleges want to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, taking on harder classes, and continuing to grow each year by “doing more than you did the year before.”

Additionally, colleges today are taking into account extracurricular involvement as well. “Being a part of honors societies, clubs, volunteering in your community, or your church” can play a major role in the decision of getting accepted or not. Anything outside of the classroom, such as being involved in not just your school but your community as well, really shows colleges they aren’t just accepting a straight-A student. They are accepting a leader of tomorrow.  

Mainly, college admissions offices really want to see who you really are as a person outside of academics. They want to hear your story.

In the end, the most likely applicants for acceptance are those who have shown academic effort, personal growth, and community involvement, asking: Who are you becoming, and how will you add to our campus? As Maria Haro, Mt. SAC counselor, said, “They evaluate the entire student.” 

Adding on, Haro shared that “a well-rounded student has great chances of getting into big schools.” 

So, as you prepare your applications, remember that it isn’t all about grades or scores. It’s about showing the person behind them: your drive, your story, and your potential to make a difference.