Supply and demand driving admissions

In the tradition of the SAT, we ask our readers to answer this multiple-choice question: Trying to summarize your life’s story on a few sheets of paper and distinguish it from a stack of 40,000 others is: A) frightening; B) one of the most important tasks in a teen’s life; C) the act of filling out college applications; D) all of the above.

High schoolers trying to move on to higher learning institutions are now faced with a process as competitive as the corporate world. With more graduates applying to college than ever, students are finding that no edge is too small in the struggle to separate themselves from the pack.

This week, Greater Media Newspapers takes a look at some of the many facets of the modern college application process. We interviewed students of all abilities and desires, from star athletes being wooed to play at big-time universities, to stellar students trying to fulfill their dreams of attending a top school, to everyday teens happy to attend a community college close to home.

We also asked admissions officers and guidance counselors what today’s students have to do to set them apart.

Through our research, a few lessons emerged that college hopefuls should heed:

• Start early. While conventional wisdom holds that junior year is the time to get serious and show progress, it’s simply no substitute for showing consistency from freshman year. Also, if you challenge yourself with tough courses from the start, admissions officers will take note.

• Get involved with as many extracurricular activities as possible. Admissions officers are people, not machines, and you never know what nugget may catch their eye and put an applicant over the top.

• Be realistic. It’s fine to take your chances on a couple of “reach schools,” but students should apply to a variety of institutions they have a good chance of being accepted to and would be happy attending if their dream scenario doesn’t work out.

To our student readers, we wish you luck and hope these stories offer food for thought as you prepare for college. It’s a difficult and stressful period, but it will seem well worth it the moment you get that envelope in the mail, bring it up to your room and read the good news.