What are admissions counselors looking for? 

Admissions counselors are looking for students who show intellectual curiosity and who will contribute to the campus community by embodying the university's mission. Mission statements include dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, service to others, leadership and diversity. Diverse cultures, faiths, values, interests, perspectives and experiences enrich the college community, allowing opportunity for growth for all students. The rigor of your high school schedule and body of work over the four years continues to be prioritized because it shows the student’s degree of grit and desire to take advantage of academic opportunites. This, combined with GPA and standardized exam scores, provides a clear picture of your academic ability but those numbers are only part of the picture. Colleges also put an emphasis on an individual’s character traits. The personal essay is the place where your character and values can be revealed and it serves to tie your application together, showing the committee who you are. Because of the high volume of applications received by each institution, the essay helps the reviewers differentiate between students who have similar academic records but embody different character traits. Because admissions counselors are tasked with creating a diverse and mutually supportive student body, they are looking for students who show insight, growth, persistence, curiosity, and genuine desire to learn.