MISS A DEADLINE AND YOU CAN MISS OUT ON COLLEGE CHOICE

In the hit movie "Legally Blonde," Elle Woods, a preppy, blond sorority girl, gets accepted to the prestigious Harvard Law School because she submits a quirky video starring herself -- adorned in a bikini.

Applying for college wasn't nearly so simple for Ryan Gates, a senior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.

First, he made the tough decision to leave his hometown school.

"I felt I wasn't being pushed hard enough at Lebanon (High School), and Brebeuf would push me and help me get into top-notch colleges," Ryan said.

He then had to go through the painstaking and nerve-racking process of applying to college.

Y-Press investigated what it takes to get into college by interviewing Ryan; Mia Chen, a Carmel High School senior; Andy White, an admissions officer at Butler University; and Chris J. Foley, director of admissions at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

We found there is no magic formula regarding scores or activities that can ensure acceptance into a favorite school, but there are guiding principles.

Multiple Web sites can help provide the guidance that students need. An especially thorough, straightforward one is www.know how2go.org, established by the American Council on Education, Lumina Foundation for Education and The Ad Council. It targets youth in Grades 8-12 who are the first in their family to go to college, but is helpful to all students and their families.

A key factor for getting into college, according to various experts, is to meet deadlines.

Start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the cut-off date. In Indiana, that deadline is March 10. A FAFSA form, which can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, is required before a student can receive most forms of state and federal financial aid. Other deadlines to consider are priority dates for admissions consideration.

The earlier, the better, especially for students interested in merit-based scholarships, admissions officials said. A timely application ensures maximum time to review a student's qualifications. At Indiana University in Bloomington, that date is Feb. 1; at Purdue University, it’s March 1.

Foley, an admissions officer for more than 10 years, said one of the surest ways to get turned down for admission is to miss these deadlines.

Having a strong college application, top grades, top courses and excellent scores on the SAT or ACT are most important to being accepted to the school you want, White and Foley said.

"Take a rigorous course load all four years, including your senior year," said White. Foley and White agreed that it is important for students to challenge themselves starting freshman year, because that establishes the foundation of a GPA.

White gives these testing tips: "I would encourage students to take the SAT or the ACT as many times as they can. . . . Each time, you'll bump your scores a little bit more."

Extracurricular activities are often essential to a strong college application, particularly at highly selective institutions, because they demonstrate abilities and interests beyond the classroom.

“Be as involved in as many extracurricular as you possibly can without it jeopardizing your GPA and class ranking,” White said.

Ryan felt that his involvement in theater and lacrosse helped his application stand out: “I think my application’s pretty diverse, so I have a lot of interests.”

Colleges are looking for applicants who will bring something unique, so don't feel pressured to limit your application to activities such as athletics or performing arts.

Mia participated in unique events outside school, including "volunteering, academic things related to my future profession, and participating in competitions and conventions."

A college-application essay can provide an extra boost.

"The essay is your chance to say 'this is who I am,' and this is your one chance in the application process to speak on your own behalf," said White.

Foley suggested applicants be careful in what they write: Be memorable and tasteful.

White added: "Tell us something that'll make us clearly see that they will be a good fit for us, but you don't have to open up your entire life history."

Remember that your application needn't be similar to those of other successful seniors, the officers said.

"We look at everything, and we want to see a complete picture," said White. "Everybody brings something different to the table."

REPORTERS: Quinn Andrews, 13; Isabella Baranyk, 11; Max Gabovitch, 14; Jeff Hou, 14.

Copyright 2008 Y-Press