Now that SAT or ACT scores aren’t a requirement at many schools, admissions offices are taking a more holistic approach. “We’ve found that applying to Immaculata without test scores actually benefits most students,” says Alexa Milano-Moyer, director of the university’s undergraduate admissions office.
At Widener University, administrators have been focusing more on extracurricular involvement. “We’re looking for a commitment to chosen activities and signs that students are vested and engaged,” says Courtney Kelly, the school’s executive director of admissions. “It’s less about how many clubs or organizations a student holds membership in and more about how active they are with what they’ve chosen.”
For Villanova University and other more selective schools, letters of recommendation now carry more weight, as do the rigors of a student’s course load and the subjects studied. Widener also reviews attendance records, as they speak to a student’s motivation.
Simply put, senior year isn’t the time to slack off. “We review their grades over time in a search for trends, and we like seeing students who demonstrate improvement over their years in high school, as opposed to a transcript that shows grades moving downward as they approach senior year,” Kelly says.
And, as always, the personal essay is an applicant’s place to shine. “Transcripts and scores are quantitative, but they don’t tell us much about what kind of people the applicants are,” Milano-Moyer says.
Some of the most impressive essays offer a creative glimpse into a student’s life outside the classroom. The additional information section of the Common App is another place to share such details. Admissions officers are looking for students who will make notable contributions to their communities through their individualized life experiences, perspectives and commitment. “We love hearing from applicants who have personal stories that exemplify perseverance,” says Kelly.
Major League
10 degrees with the highest demand in the job market
- ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Average starting salary: $78,265. - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Average starting salary: $76,094. - COMPUTER SCIENCE
Average starting salary: $76,077. - INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SYSTEMS
Average starting salary: $73,695. - FINANCE
Average starting salary: $64,887. - LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN
Average starting salary: $64,538. - ACCOUNTING
Average starting salary: $64,092. - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
Average starting salary: $62,856. - SALES
Average starting salary: $60,696. - MARKETING
Average starting salary: $60,462.
Data culled from the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Winter 2024 survey.
Related: Your Guide to High Schools and Colleges in Delaware
