Having just gone through the ED application process for a top LAC (admitted), I wanted to share some of my lessons learned;
- At the outset, you must ask yourself "what am I bringing to the college and the student community?" This is the key question to answer in the application and it will impact admission and possible financial aid.
- The easiest and most common answer is "athletic ability". If applicable, you fill in recruitment form online, send video and academic records to the coach, contact coach by email or phone, join a camp and get coach's admission support.
- In case of other abilities and interests, you will need to demonstrate those and how they will specifically benefit the college you are applying to, and its students.
- Good academic records (say 2,000-2,300 level) are a door opener but does not in themselves answer the above question, outstanding academics (2,400) and national awards might.
- International students that have a convincing answer to the above question, can look at mid-50% when searching for colleges. If not, look at the top-25%.
Hope this is helpful!