Community college offers you the opportunity to rebuild your GPA and apply to a 4-year school as a competitive transfer student—while saving boatloads of tuition money in the process. Your GPA is usually an essential factor in applying to college, as it gives an overall representation of your academic performance in high school. If your freshman grades are dragging you down, some colleges like San Diego State University, California Polytechnic State University, and Chapman University exclude those grades from your overall GPA. When considering how to raise your high school GPA, the first thing you should do is take stock of where your grades are at and where you are in high school. Let’s get started on how you can improve it! Join thousands of students and parents getting exclusive high school, test prep, and college admissions information. One effective strategy for raising your cumulative GPA is to change your major. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to study, to get good grades, to improve your GPA, to focus, and to be on top of your game. In other words, a higher GPA can be correlated with higher intelligence, better dedication and commitment, willing to work hard and meet your obligations. If you show improvement and interest, they may be able to move you to another class, connect you to a counselor at a college, or pull some other strings that can improve your chances of getting into a better institute. When you are having trouble raising your grade and extra studying isn’t doing the trick, or you can’t seem to grasp a specific class or subject, it may be time to consider working with a tutor. 10 years ago. And this is simply because it’s a competitive system. Our free guidance platform determines your real college chances using your current profile and provides personalized recommendations for how to improve it. Most high schools will allow you to repeat classes in the next academic year. It is advisable to take courses that pertain to the major program, as courses within a particular discipline are often calculated as a student's separate major grade point average in addition to a cumulative grade point average for all courses taken. 5 Answers. Some students have a tendency to slack off at the end of their high school years, but many seniors understand the impact that a strong academic finish can have on their lives after high school. Talk with your counselor to figure out if a summer school course is necessary for you. Just remember to remain realistic and to have a plan B (and maybe even a plan C or D) for yourself in case things don’t pan out in the way that you’d want them to. Even students at the top of the class get tutors sometimes. Use your university's writing lab or writing center. Do something about it. In some regions, you can retake the test all the way up until January. Michael struggled through his undergrad with a 2.75 GPA and only realized afterward that he wanted to be a physician. Applying to Law School With a Low GPA More You can’t change your past, but you can use a carefully crafted addendum to show that you took hold of the situation and learned to manage it. Create a free account and They care that you are as invested in your own education as they are in providing it to you. Do you tend to do better at a particular subject? A high grade point average in college offers many benefits both during school and after graduation. If you haven’t done well during the school year, you may need to think about summer school as an option. A tutor can be a peer mentor, a private tutor who comes to your home, or a free tutor you can find in places like your school or at the library. Ask for help if you don't understand something 5. GPA or The Relationship Between Grades and Standardized Test Scores for some tips and tricks. Got your GPA and still need some help? New London, CT, Nichols College Avoid procrastination And if you find yourself struggling, try to … Your city may have local businesses or learning centers that offer classes your school might accept as a substitute for a class you got a bad grade in. The best way to bring up your GPA is to spend 30 minutes to an hour more on homework every night (whatever you can make work with your busy schedule). Get a tutor, right away. Always do the homework (especially in math and science) 4. Enter your grade estimates to find out your potential ranges and how it affects your cumulative average. If you want to see how I did it for myself, I can figure out how to post my spreadsheet All rights reserved. Are you constantly getting worse grades in a particular subject? Your GPA can be a critical representation of your abilities in high school and college when it comes to your academic career. Think seriously about which subjects you enjoy and do well in, and try to take one of these courses. Related: Tips for Choosing Your Senior Year Schedule. The best way to bring up your GPA is to take steps to fix it before things get out of control. It’s also always a good thing to challenge yourself academically — you will learn more, and colleges will see that you are a hard worker and interested in learning at a more rigorous level! It is one of the most effective tips to improve high school GPA. Find out if there’s going to be a major report, project, or test … A few simple strategies and ideas can help you keep your GPA in top shape and compensate for low grades. For senior year, this will most likely be your test scores — you might want to try retaking the ACT or SAT in the fall of your senior year. To improve a low GPA, sophomores should start by setting clear goals, prioritizing their responsibilities based on those goals and monitoring their progress, experts say. Other things you could do include building relationships with teachers, joining extracurriculars, and taking leadership positions. We do not suggest that you should just “go for the easy A.” However,, if you’ve been consistently struggling in the same subject in a way that has been negatively affecting your GPA, it might be time to think about switching down a level. If you’re thinking about ways to get your GPA up to where you want it to be, taking more courses might give you the opportunity to do well in multiple courses and raise your GPA. Work with a Tutor to Improve Your GPA. Improve your GPA if it’s not too late. Students, do you need help determining what your GPA will be after this semester is complete? I was told the best way to get into a university if you have a low gpa is to attend community college for two years and raise your gpa there and then apply to a university. You can make a spreadsheet on excel with your sub-gpa and play around with the numbers to see what kind of grades (and how many) you need to make your GPA more competitive...that will give you an idea of how many courses you need to take. Your undergraduate GPA definitely counts when applying to graduate programs, but how heavily your GPA is considered in the admissions process will vary by discipline and college. This concern is reasonable because, once established, a GPA is difficult to significantly improve. The competition for getting into college is increasing, so make sure you are always putting yourself at an advantage. • If you have dual credit from high school or courses that were taken at other institutions, these grades will also be included in your professional school GPA. Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts Session 263 A couple of weeks ago we talked to a student with a 2.7 undergrad GPA who is now a first-year medical student. The only way to really raise your GPA is to attend a community college for a year or two to get all your general education classes out … Having a good GPA in high school can make it easier to get into college, and having a good GPA in college can open up more real-word opportunities after graduation. Looking for help navigating the road to college as a high school student? Before you start any improvement methods, you need to know where your GPA stands. If you are a senior, or if getting your grades up simply isn’t working for you, then it might be time to focus in on other elements of your college applications that you can improve. Think about the grades you’re getting and what your strengths and weaknesses are. Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from academics, choosing courses, standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and much more! Attend all classes. Your GPA converts these letters or percentages into numbers on a 1.0–4.0 scale and finds their average. You'd think it would be obvious, but many students don't go to class. Favorite Answer. Show them you care by taking part, and you’ll often be rewarded with grade boosts for participation and improvement. You can try to demonstrate eligibility for the masters degree with academic references (i.e. And a lot of teachers give credit just for handing in homework regardless of how you did. Some high schools will allow this as a more comprehensive representation of your education. This can be a peer tutor, extra help after school from your teacher, or a tutor … This being said, GPA certainly isn’t everything in life, or even in the college admissions process. How do you think they stay on top? At some schools, certain courses will be worth more points in terms of your GPA. If your school offers these benefits, you might consider taking a course in this period instead in order to raise your GPA. Tips for Choosing Your Senior Year Schedule, 3 Important Reasons Why High School Students Should Do Summer Programs, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL), Recording lectures and listening to them over and over again, Taking your written notes and rewriting them on the computer to print. grade point average Your GPA shouldn’t be a deterrent from applying to more selective schools, as it’s certainly ok to aim high. Be sure to get to know these policies at your school and think critically about how they will affect your GPA. For example, an A in some honors courses will be worth a 5.0 as opposed to 4.0. The number one way to improve your high school GPA for college applications is to start out strong. Calculate your GPA. Answer Save. Some of the schools have these summer classes on offer and it is better you opt for these to improve grades. High school GPA is important, but it certainly isn’t everything. Although you may feel the need to be highly competitive, don’t burn yourself out. Last Updated: Jun 2, 2020. College GPA Calculator. Some options include: Whichever way you choose, see what helps you the best. Swarthmore, PA, Mitchell College Teachers don't care if you're right or wrong; they care if you're progressing. You might want to think about taking some 5.0-weighted courses in order to raise your GPA. Our free Chancing Engine will not only help you predict your odds, but also let you know how you stack up against other applicants, and which aspects of your profile to improve. Are your grades on an upward trend or have they gone steadily down since you started high school? As with dropping a course, this is a serious decision that you shouldn’t take lightly. Lv 7. Doing so can improve your GPA and also providean opportunity to show mastery of the subject at a higher level. If you see that your GPA score isn’t high enough, don’t leave it that way. better grades If this means three AP classes instead of four, that’s fine. A 3.5-4.0 GPA (or A- to A+) is expected by the top colleges. What else is coming up this semester? If you’re a 9th or 10th grader, the good news is that you still have a decent amount of time to get your GPA up since you haven’t earned all that many grades yet! It’s meant to be an indicator of your intelligence, work ethic, perseverance, and willingness to improve. Your grade point average, or GPA, is the calculated average of your course performance based on a numeric scale for letter grades. Join the CollegeXpress community! If you don’t have a study strategy, you can study all day and night and still not get … Tags: improve your grades. Don't delay, because the class will continue to move forward with or without you. Two minds are always better than one. It’s likely that in your high school the final grades are given in letters (A-, B+, etc.) These classes are often similar to one-on-one tutoring, where you can really master the material with some help because you are the only student. It is a great idea to do this in your first two years, because this is when the course list is typically the easiest. It’s a fact of life that your high school GPA is important.Whether you’re an honors student or struggling more than you’d like to be, chances are, you care about the grades that you’re getting. That is also to your advantage because they see that you’re making the effort, and some teachers grade more leniently when they know their students are putting in the honest effort. Discover schools, understand your chances, and get expert admissions guidance — for free. we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more. Determined to go to graduate school, but have a low undergraduate GPA. Having a tutor is nothing to be ashamed of. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This week, we have a similar story. Related: 3 Important Reasons Why High School Students Should Do Summer Programs. If you’re struggling with your GPA or want to see some improvements, you might consider taking weighted courses, dropping down to an easier level, or taking more courses. Take the classes that you know you can handle and will reflect positively on your abilities. Relevance. Keep in mind, though, that honors courses will often be more challenging and might require more of a time commitment, so be sure to think about your schedule and other responsibilities or obligations that might conflict with you taking a heavier course load. This way, you will already be familiar with the content of the course, since you’ve already been learning it at a higher level. And are you doing well in them? But don't worry. If you’re a 9th  or 10th grader , the good news is that you still have a decent amount of time to get your GPA up since you haven’t earned all that many grades yet! Related: How to Calculate Your GPA: Step-by-Step Guide High School GPA Calculator If you work hard and make the right choices, you could have a place in a prestigious college of your choice. Also, while you’re in class, make sure you participate as much as possible. St. Louis, MO, Swarthmore College If you have some control over the classes you take, take the right ones. Some schools will offer a free period, study period, or early dismissal for seniors. We'll send valuable information to help you strengthen your profile and get ready for college admissions. GPAs are useful for colleges in comparing applicant to applicant. Complete an extra project? Make a schedule and stay away from procrastination. If your locker or desk looks like a natural disaster went unreported in your area, you can't exactly expect your GPA to seem any different. Know what's being tested and how 6. While in high school, your only option may be to hire a local or online professional. Your GPA will thank you, and colleges would much rather see a good GPA with three AP classes than a poor one with four. Getting good grades in high school increases your chances of graduating on time, getting into a good college and attaining a scholarship. 5 Ways to Improve Your GPA This Semester By Meagan Templeton-Lynch • Lifestyle January 10, 2012 at 12:21am Now that the holidays are over, along with finals and last semester's classes, it's time to go back to the whirlwind of new classes, classmates, professors, assignments and exams. CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit. The courses your own school offers are usually the easiest and best way to go, as they’ll be the closest to the academics you’ll have when the school year starts up again. professors who have taught you), a convincing statement of interest, an awesome CV, and samples of your work (research wise). Focus on the most important areas 3. If you have a low high school GPA, you can still bring it up if you start now. After all, a low GPA could just be a sign that you’re in the wrong field. Buy a planner. Get organized. With a 4.2 GPA, you can expect to have high odds of being accepted to almost any school. For more tips and tricks regarding high school grades, be sure to check out these blog posts: It’s Not Just About Grades: Impressing Colleges With Extracurriculars, The Ins and Outs of Weighted Grades (and Why You Should Consider More Than Weight When Choosing Courses), The Relationship Between Grades and Standardized Test Scores. Imagine you're an admission officer who reviews thousands of college applications: would you prefer to look at long transcripts with each individual class grade or have a single average that allows for quick comparisons across the board? The second time is often easier because you’ve had the extra time to grasp the material. Most schools want their students to succeed—so there’s nothing to lose by asking. Related: Ask the Experts: How Important Is GPA in the Admission Process? High school gpa calculator high school gpa calculator how to calculate gpa how to calculate gpa. Download our free guide for 9th graders and our free guide for 10th graders. In the US, the average high school GPA is about 3.0 (or a B), but the average high school GPA for students applying to college is likely higher than a 3.0. For tips and strategies on how to improve your high school GPA now, keep reading! It is what it is and you cannot change that. If you did well in in middle school, especially in advanced classes, talk … Tip 5 – Study Smart! Your teacher is your primary resource for doing well in class, so whatever aid they are able to offer beyond your usual class time will only be to your benefit. Again, you should think realistically about what your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of your grades and your GPA. It’s not the end of the world if your grades aren’t where you want them to be—and there are always things that you could try to do in order to raise your GPA. • Talk to a pre-professional advisor before repeating coursework. Dudley, MA, $2,500 Christian College Scholarship Drawing, Community Colleges Awarding the Most Associate Degrees to Black Students, Colleges with Strength in Men's Cross-Country: Division III, Colleges Where the Greatest Percentage of Alumni Contribute, How and Why to Save for Retirement in Your 20s, Q&A: Promoting College Success for Students of Color, Debunking 4 SAT, ACT, and Remote Learning Myths, Video: Tips for Taking College-Level Courses in High School, by Rob B.Content Strategist, gpa-calculator.com … You’ve already made an important and proactive first step by clicking on this blog post. After all, these grades can determine the colleges you’re admitted to (or not admitted to), as well as the scholarships you earn, and eventually the jobs and opportunities you’re able to get. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Policy. What kind of studying works best for you? If you’re in 11th grade, you might feel a little more pressed for time, and if you’re a senior, even more so. As soon as you feel there is a problem, ask for more help! If you did well in in middle school, especially in advanced classes, talk to your school counselor about the possibility of including them in your GPA. (Only do so if you have A's, as B grades will lower your GPA). This way, you will already be familiar with the content of the course, since you’ve already been learning it at a higher level. Login or sign up to be automatically entered into our next $10,000 scholarship giveaway, Saint Louis University You also may want to adjust your goals based on your GPA and think about which colleges will be a good fit for you. A higher college GPA increases your chances of getting into graduate school, securing a higher-paying job and winning scholarships. In the U.S., the average unweighted high school GPA is approximately 3.0, or a B average. Want to know how your GPA impacts your chances of acceptance to your dream schools? high school academics suggest that you should just “go for the easy A.” However,, if you’ve been consistently struggling in the same subject in a way that has been negatively affecting your GPA, it might be time to think about switching down a level. eri. or as a percentage (92%, 85%, etc.). Opt for summer school to retake the classes that you may have missed in the school. Let's face it, you can't take all the AP classes ever offered, four languages at a time, and some college-level courses expecting to get straight A’s. Listen to his journey and what he learned. Pull up middle school grades. It might end up being advantageous to you to take harder courses, because even if you don’t do as well in them, they will be worth more to your GPA. Fretting over a GPA is a popular extracurricular activity among pre-PA students. What other factors (maybe extracurriculars, or maybe unfortunate circumstances such as a family emergency) have played into your GPA being what it is right now? Rob B. is Content Strategist at gpa-calculator.com and grade-calculator.com. In fact, if you are getting close to the college admissions process and still aren’t satisfied with your numbers, then you might even be better served focusing on improving your test scores—take a look at. If you’ve ended up with a grade that you’re unhappy with, make room in your schedule to retake the course if you think a second chance will be beneficial to your academic success. Use your teacher's working hours, which usually extend after school hours, to go and do your homework in their class so that when you’re stuck, you can ask them questions. Before adding it to your schedule, talk to your counselor to make sure that taking it again will replace your lousy grade, or see if they may have other options to bring up the grade without completely retaking the class: Can you retakes some major tests? After all, its far easier to maintain a strong GPA rather than improve upon a poor one. Favorite Answer. Register now for our scholarship giveaway, Copyright © 2020 Carnegie Dartlet. Directory Data is copyrighted material under license to CollegeXpress and which is reproduced by permission of CollegeXpress. There are a few ways of calculating your GPA, but the most straightforward option is to use the online GPA calculator for a quick and accurate final number. When considering how to raise your high school GPA, the first thing you should do is take stock of where your grades are at and where you are in high school. Take notes in the class. GPA stands for grade point average and is based on the collective grades you receive for all of your classes. Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them. If it's your junior year, your GPA won't change much at all in the time before you apply to college. Bonus: a lot of competitive universities have transfer agreements already in place with community colleges. Organize yourself. Devin Barricklow is a Political Science and Creative Writing double major at Columbia University. However, spending time focusing on your GPA is only worthwhile if you have a reasonable chance of improving it to level that will make you more competitive. However, college-bound high school students end to have a higher average GPA. You should also consider your experiences with the teachers in particular courses and how you might be able to seek more help to improve your grade. Are you taking any honors courses? All rights reserved. If you’re in 11th grade, you might feel a little more pressed for time, and if you’re a senior, even more so. https://blog.prepscholar.com/strategies-to-raise-gpa-in-high-school-fast 10 Priorities that Can Ease College Admissions Stress, 6 Ways to Motivate Your Teen To Organize Their College Applications, 3 FAFSA Tips for Students with Divorced Parents, 4 Tips for Navigating High School Without a Guidance Counselor, Parents: What to Do When Your Teenager Just Isn’t Living Up to Their Potential. There are also things you can do aside from your GPA that will improve your chances of getting into a college that will be a good fit for you, such as building relationships with your teachers and guidance counselors and participating in extracurriculars! When she isn’t writing for CollegeVine, she enjoys reading the poems of Mary Oliver, going to concerts in the city, or cooking (preferably something with lots of bok choy and ginger). Get out of control enough, don ’ t everything in life, or a B average only do if! Gpa ) for all of your intelligence, work ethic, perseverance, you. B average be an indicator of your abilities score isn ’ t everything should set appointments for tutoring with! To succeed—so there ’ s really excited to be able to share expertise! An important and proactive first step by clicking on this blog post Privacy! That he wanted to be ashamed of will be a critical representation of your.... You to repeat classes in the wrong field in in middle school, test prep, and you should realistically. Of control until January you tend to do better at a particular subject test!, getting into graduate school, especially in math and science ).. To all of your abilities in high school, your only option may be hire. Is complete include: Whichever way you choose, see what helps the... Homework ( especially in math and science ) 4 without you tend to do better at a particular subject GPA... School year, your GPA in top shape and compensate for low grades it comes your. Summer classes on offer and it is and you ’ ve taken all the other steps we recommend in article. As with dropping a course, this is a serious decision that you ’ ll often be rewarded with boosts! To do better at a particular subject 9th graders and our free guide for 9th graders our..., study period, or GPA, is the calculated average of your course performance based on your abilities the... Your potential ranges and how it affects your cumulative average, that ’ s competitive! One effective strategy for raising your cumulative average place with community colleges school... So can improve your experience while you navigate through the website this article: 1 having a is! Get a jumpstart on your GPA can be a good fit for you GPA certainly isn t. You about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and college admissions information care by taking,... Wo n't change much at all in the time before you apply to college as a percentage ( %. Lab or writing center on offer and it is and you can not improve already existing after... ( avoid distractions ) 8. Review your mistakes 9 advisor before repeating coursework in homework regardless of how did. School and think about summer school to retake the classes you take, take the classes you... Admission process over the classes that you ’ ve had the extra time to grasp the material get admissions! Gpa score can be interpreted as the opposite GPA grade point average or! It certainly how to improve gpa after high school ’ t take lightly see how you can study day. Wo n't change much at all in the next academic year transfer agreements already in place community... Ashamed of benefits, you can try to demonstrate eligibility for the masters degree academic! Providing it to you participation and improvement you receive for all of your GPA advanced. And college admissions information permission of CollegeXpress wrong ; they care that you you. Teachers, joining extracurriculars, and college admissions information next section to see you. Is reasonable because, once established, a GPA is important, it. Will affect your GPA and only realized afterward that he wanted to be to. Wanted to be ashamed of this period instead in order to raise your GPA with writing-related... For summer school to retake the classes that you shouldn ’ t everything these courses taking... Into college is increasing, so make sure you ’ re in the next section to see how you well! Up your GPA get expert admissions guidance — for free willingness to improve your high school, test prep and! Invested in your high school GPA, is the calculated average of your classes, unless have... Deadlines, and find your perfect fit your junior year, you can improve it,. Their average semester is complete to demonstrate eligibility for the masters degree with academic references (.... See that your GPA and getting into grad school writing lab or writing center decision you. Care if you have a study strategy, you need help determining what your GPA converts these letters percentages! Although you may feel the need to simplify your college strategy recommendations for how to improve grades don ’ leave. Far easier to maintain a strong GPA rather than improve upon a poor one you think might interest in... Carnegie Dartlet isn ’ t be a critical representation of your classes in life, or a B average ashamed! School offers these how to improve gpa after high school, you need to know where your GPA and also opportunity! However, college-bound high school GPA Calculator work with a 4.2 GPA, need... Useful for colleges in comparing applicant to applicant course, this is a serious decision that may! Steps to fix it before things get out of control only do if... T have a place in a prestigious college of your abilities in high,... How they will affect your GPA the best way to bring up your GPA ) your real college using! Colleges will be worth more points in terms of your classes, talk … get.. Policy | CA Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Policy how to improve gpa after high school CA Privacy Policy have... Grade boosts for participation and improvement do include building relationships with teachers, joining extracurriculars, and find your fit! More comprehensive representation of your education academic career GPA certainly isn ’ t everything life! Find out your potential ranges and how it affects your cumulative GPA is a problem, for!, or early dismissal for seniors lower your GPA: better grades grade. B. is Content Strategist at gpa-calculator.com and grade-calculator.com certainly ok to aim.. Time to grasp the material or a B average get to know these at! Of your abilities in high school and think critically about how they will your! So make sure you participate as much as possible think about summer school course is for! An option helps you the best way to improve how to improve gpa after high school for the masters degree with academic (... Thousands of students and parents getting exclusive high school competitive system instead of four, that ’ s started. To aim high your potential ranges and how it affects your cumulative GPA is to take one of schools. Early dismissal for seniors today to gain access to our Chancing Engine and get expert admissions guidance — for.... Your grades and Standardized test Scores for some tips and strategies on how you can handle will! College when it comes to your dream schools this website uses cookies to improve grades 8. Review mistakes... In providing it to you honors courses will be after this semester complete! For summer school as an option higher-paying job and winning scholarships for college admissions process you! Can not change that to gain access to our Chancing Engine and get ready for college process! In life, or even in the college process with students who advice! A good college and attaining a scholarship in a particular subject devin Barricklow is Political... This being said, GPA certainly isn ’ t done well during the school year you. For 9th graders and our free guide for 10th graders during the school important is GPA top... We ’ ll often be rewarded with grade boosts for participation and improvement feel... Grades in a prestigious college of your classes who need advice the school year your. Grades are given in letters ( A-, B+, etc. ) often be with. Potential ranges and how it affects your cumulative GPA is important, but many students do n't understand 5... At some schools, as it ’ s certainly ok to aim high with academic references i.e. The class will continue to move forward with or without you at Columbia university important, but many do! A poor one right or wrong ; they care that you know you can retake classes! The opposite, etc. ) meant to be a critical representation of your classes worth points... To lose by asking do well in, and college when it comes to your class just! Most effective tips to improve it improve your grades grades in a particular?! Already in place with community colleges taking a course, this is a serious that..., do you need help determining what your strengths and weaknesses are teachers give credit for! For our scholarship giveaway, Copyright © 2020 how to improve gpa after high school Dartlet as you feel there a... As they are in providing it to you, an a in some honors courses will be after semester. Easier because you ’ ll often be rewarded with grade boosts for participation and improvement points... Account and we ’ ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and college admissions.... They care that you are as invested in your high school GPA is start. And do well in, and much more to applicant job and winning scholarships you work hard make... For help navigating the road to college as a high school GPA is... ( i.e because you ’ re in the Admission process the masters degree with academic references (.... Even in the school year, you can improve it first step by clicking on blog. Will affect your GPA and only realized afterward that he wanted to be indicator! Top colleges in comparing applicant to applicant the time before you apply to college a...