College Application Denials: 8 Reasons Why Students Get Turned Down
There’s no point in sugarcoating college rejection. Sure, it’s common, but that doesn’t take the sting out of receiving a rejection letter after months (sometimes years) of envisioning and working hard toward the goal of attending a hand-picked school.
We know how to support our clients through this tough situation—the words to say, the steps to encourage them to take—but it may also help if they understand why, exactly, their application was denied in the first place.
Here are some of the most common reasons why college applications get rejected:
1. Failure To Meet Standards
GPA, grades, and test scores matter. College admissions want to see an applicant with an academic record that proves that the student has what it takes to engage and succeed in college-level coursework. The more selective the school, the more important it is for applicants to meet these standards
2. Limited Academic Rigor
In addition to meeting benchmark standards, colleges expect applicants to display an ability to take on and succeed in academic challenges. Students who have taken honors courses, AP classes, and/or tried college-level coursework in high school stand out to admissions officers as students who not only can handle academic rigor, but who push themselves beyond basic coursework.
3. Generic Information
Speaking of basic, an application filled out like a medical form—lacking unique or interesting details—is a sure-fire reason for application rejection. The information presented in a college application is the college’s first impression of the student. Students need to submit an application that performs. The application should highlight their academic and extracurricular achievements, and showcase their skills and interests. It’s like a talent show on paper—they need to WOW! their audience!
4. Poor Academic Fit
We see this a lot with reach schools: applications get denied when students try to punch above their weight. Reach schools are always a long shot, and applicants need to keep realistic expectations about getting accepted to them. Applying to a reach school only makes sense if a student has a chance of getting in. After all, if a college or university doesn’t see an applicant as a good academic fit, then they do not believe that student has what it takes to succeed in their school. That’s why finding and applying to several match schools is a solid move.
5. Lack Of Demonstrated Interest
Colleges want to feel special, and they want to select students who exhibit genuine enthusiasm for their school. They also want to feel confident that the applicant will enroll if accepted. If an applicant hasn’t displayed a keen interest in the school and what it has to offer them, then admissions may not feel that applicant is the right fit for the school.
6. Academic Integrity Concerns
Colleges need to trust that the information provided on a college application is 100% true. Artificially inflating college application details is a major red flag that will always get an application rejected. I don’t want to be that guy, but remember the College Admissions Bribery Scandal? Yeah, that was a major scandal, but even little lies—like how much volunteer work a student claims they've done versus what they’ve actually done or clubs and activities they say they’ve participated in—matter. Those details are just as important as an accurate GPA or test score. Moral of the story: be truthful and stick to the facts.
7. Competition
Competition is fierce, especially given the significant increase in college applications of late. What that means for applicants is that they need to make sure they stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. High GPAs, solid grades, strong test scores, extracurricular achievements, quality volunteer work—those are all noteworthy accolades that are sure to get a good look from an admissions officer. Not having anything distinct on an application means that there is nothing to distinguish that applicant from all the other run-of-the-mill applicants.
8. Application Errors
The silliest and most frustrating college application rejections come from application errors. It is crucial for students to take their time when completing every single college application. Every school’s application is just slightly different, every school has their own set of specific requirements. It is imperative that students treat each application with care and consideration, and give each app the undivided attention it deserves. Submitting an application chock full of errors is a sure way to get a college application rejected.
As we’ve previously discussed, there are ways to help our clients cope with college rejection, and to help them get back on their feet to try again. And for all of our clients just beginning their college application process: these are important tips for them to know so they can avoid these college application pitfalls from the start.
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