Your Test Scores Stink

Your friends at Shmoop know that you are a rare and special flower, but it takes more than moxie and an encyclopedic knowledge of Friends episodes to stand out to colleges. On that note, we have bad news for nervous test-takers. While the importance of standardized test scores varies greatly between colleges, it can weigh heavily in the admissions process (source). 

So, what are your options? 

1. You can find schools that will overlook test scores altogether (source).     
2. You can use our test prep to help you get into the college with the most appealing dining hall food. (Since food is obviously your guiding light in making some of the most important decisions in life, right?) 

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us.

Your Course Load is Too Easy

AP Relaxation might make you a significantly calmer individual, but it probably won't look great on your college applications. A nice slate of AP and honors classes in high school could earn you a few college credits and prove to your dream school that you're serious about your academics (source). 

Just don't take too many at once if you value your sanity.

Your Essay is Boring, and So Are You

Your grades are fantastic and your resume has both substance and swagger. The bad news? Interviewing you is like watching paint dry in slow motion. 

Or maybe your essay is so bad that it defies reason. 

If so, you should totes check out our Essay Lab and acquire some social skills already. Because colleges are looking to create a student body that is passionate and full of personality (source). 

On that note, as much as you love that story about your pet spider's first molting, perhaps there's something more interesting that you might share about yourself? 

You Make Questionable Life Decisions

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time to get PUGLIFE tattooed across your forehead, but it might put a damper on your idyllic college dreams. Colleges aren't likely to go trawling through your social media posts for hints about your life, but any information they happen across while researching your accomplishments might color their impression of you (source). 

Similarly, those who have been convicted of a crime face a tougher road to admissions success (source). It's not impossible to be a student with a checkered past, though. For instance, Hogwarts graduated boatloads of rough customers and they're still in business. 

You're Just Like Everyone Else

You've got good grades, great hair, and big dreams. Congratulations: you are completely typical. 

College admissions are a melting pot of class, race, and more. You will be evaluated differently if you are a white student from an affluent area than if you are a black student from an underprivileged background (source). 

Remember that you're competing against your peers and you have to stand out if you want a fair shot at getting into your dream school. 

Demonstrate leadership, initiative, and meaningful growth (source) and you'll be on the fast track to getting in. Just try not to let all that personal greatness go to your head.