Those with Adobe Acrobat should go to each school’s website, download their application, and save it on Desktop or in My Documents folder, then complete it. Before printing it out, application should be scrutinized as it must be submitted without a single mistake or inconsistency. The application is a test within itself, and you don’t want to lose ballgame before you even get up to bat! Close attention should be given to all questions so that they are answered correctly and properly.

I cannot overstate importance of following directions! Each application must be submitted letter perfect! Be particularly careful with questions that call for a checkmark for answer. Do not ever use an ‘X’ as that would be seen as not following instructions, and this is most common cause of rejection! Never lose sight of fact that schools are knee deep in applications from qualified students and are looking for reasons to reject!

It is not necessary and definitely not recommended that you volunteer any information on questions that are marked, “Optional.” Providing wrong optional information seriously jeopardizes student’s chances of being accepted. The only thing you want to provide that is optional – is a photo.

Given that you have carefully prepared application, print it out and have at least two family members review it. Once you are certain it is mistake free, that all answers are consistent and all instructions have been followed, mail it either overnight or 2nd day with signature guarantee.

Although I am not a proponent of applying online, I have been assured by people I respect that schools have finally mastered problems they’ve experienced with electronic applications over years. Nonetheless, if I were a student, I’d use mail. The inexplicable disappearance of an application, no matter how rare, not only could cost student acceptance to their college of choice, but time lost resubmitting could cost families thousands of dollars in financial aid.

This is one of a series of articles by college admissions and financial aid expert, Reecy Aresty, based on his book, “Getting Into College And Paying For It!” For further information or to contact him, please visit www.thecollegebook.com.

Students should take as many Honors and AP classes as possible. The risk/reward ratio comes into play here. Colleges are looking for students who take risks and challenge themselves academically and otherwise. The bonus for earning an ‘A’ or ‘B’ or even a ‘C’ is that it adds extra points to GPA and gives student that all-important edge in admissions.

Receiving an ‘A’ in a non-honors class is not as impressive as earning a ‘B’ in an Honors or AP class. It demonstrates that student took a risk and therefore a greater accomplishment is perceived. Admissions officers are as impressed by challenge taken as they are with result.

I’m certainly not suggesting that any student become stressed out by taking classes they are not capable of doing well in, or working beyond reasonable limits. However, for families with an exceptionally bright child, it is highly recommended that they take as many advanced courses as they can comfortably handle. An outstanding academic record has always been and is still greatest bargaining chip.

Students should also pursue extracurricular activities such as clubbing, not to be confused with staying out all night partying. Membership in Debate Club, Student Council, Key Club and like is one of absolute necessities to becoming a well-rounded, acceptable student. Even more beneficial, student should hold office or take on a leadership role in as many of these clubs as possible. Leadership demonstrates taking a risk and assuming responsibility.

Even students who are super athletes need some diversity, as sports alone is not enough. Students need to avoid impression that they are one-dimensional, and do whatever is necessary to portray themselves as multi-faceted.

Early on, students must also begin to accumulate community service or volunteer hours. However, don’t confuse extracurricular activities with volunteer work. I define extracurricular activities as in-school participation. Community service takes place outside of school, i.e. scouting, working for one’s house of worship, working with AIDS and/or Alzheimer’s patients, seniors, hospice, involvement with handicapped, and environmental work such as cleaning up beaches or highways.

By participating in volunteer work with financially, emotionally and/or intellectually challenged people, students demonstrate their compassion and empathy for others, and this will make them shine with admissions officers. Working with those who are less fortunate also gives student a much broader idea of how life is outside their own environment.

Every college-bound student needs an edge in admissions process whether they apply to Harvard or their local state college. Competition is fierce, and painful truth is - no one really cares about any student’s education except student and their family. It would be ill-advised and unrealistic to expect any favors or kindly ‘ole educators to bend over backwards to ensure success of any student. Academic achievement is rarely an accident, and creating acceptable student is sole responsibility of student and their family.

This is one of a series of articles by college admissions and financial aid expert, Reecy Aresty, based on his book, “Getting Into College And Paying For It!” For further information or to contact him, please visit www.thecollegebook.com.