Introduction

Getting accepted into top-ranked universities is a huge accomplishment. It indicates that you've spent your high school years working hard and taking advantage of opportunities at every turn. But there's no getting around it—getting into one of these schools means beating out thousands upon thousands of other applicants for a relatively small number of spots. That's why we've put together this list of tips to help you get into your dream college!


Know Your Options

There are several types of universities, and each one has its own pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options:



  • Public universities receive funding from the state, but they do not charge tuition. They can be four-year or two-year institutions, and many offer bachelor’s degrees as well as associate degrees for those who want to transfer to a different school. Public colleges may have more resources than private schools because they don't have to pay for their own buildings and facilities, but they also tend to have larger class sizes due to their higher number of students (which means you'll probably get less individualized attention from professors).
  • Private universities are funded by tuition payments instead of government grants; however, these schools tend to provide excellent educational opportunities with smaller class sizes because there is less competition for spots in classes than there would be at a public college or university. Private institutions also usually offer graduate programs that allow students with bachelor's degrees an opportunity to earn master's degrees or PhDs without having re-take courses they've already passed with flying colors
  • For-profit colleges are similar in many ways: like private schools, both types charge tuition fees instead of relying solely on government assistance like public colleges do; both types usually have smaller groups within them which makes it easier for professors/instructors time spend time getting to know each student better while still maintaining high standards across all disciplines taught within that particular course section.

Write the Most Compelling Essay

This is one of the most crucial parts of your application, so take care to write a compelling essay. It should be about something that is important to you, whether it's an experience from high school or a major life event. Some admissions committees want students to write about their academic achievements, while others require applicants' personal stories about how they got where they are today.

Regardless of what you choose to write about, keep in mind that your essay should aim for clarity and purpose rather than being overly sentimental or vague. If possible, ask a friend or teacher who has read many college applications before for feedback on your draft; their feedback can help make sure that your writing isn't too passive or formalist (like this sentence).

Procrastinate Less

Procrastination is a bad habit that many students fall into. It can lead you to drop out of school, get poor grades, and generally make your life miserable if left unchecked.

Procrastination means putting off things you need to do until later because they're hard or too boring. This means that instead of starting your homework right away, you play video games or watch TV instead. Or maybe it means waiting until the last minute before writing an essay—and then doing so at top speed and with little sleep under your belt (which is not good).

You might have thought procrastination was just a "teenage" problem—but scientists have found that even adults suffer from it! If you think about it this way: procrastinators are people who wait around for something better to come along rather than taking advantage of what's already available to them in the present moments of their lives--like studying for an exam now so they'll be able to ace it later on down the road when finals roll around again next year; writing up their resume now so they don't have trouble finding employment during job interviews; making plans with friends tonight instead of staying home watching Netflix alone all night long like some kind ol' loser.

Prioritize Your Courses

If you’re not sure what you want to study, or if you’re unsure of where your talents and interests lie, think about the types of courses that appeal to you. For example, if math and science always came easily to you in high school, but the writing was always a struggle—and now that it's time for college applications—it may be wise to prioritize those courses over English or history classes.

Once again: do your research! From there, consider what goals you have for yourself after graduation. Do you have plans on going directly into the workforce? If so, consider taking some more practical courses which could set up as good job skills for future employment opportunities (like business administration). Do plan on applying for graduate programs? If so, then focus on taking challenging classes that will help strengthen your application portfolio (like statistics).

Nowadays there are many avenues available when it comes to choosing which coursework qualifies as "top-ranked" by colleges around the world; however, one way is simply by using Google search engines. A simple query like: "What are top-ranked universities?" will return results with links containing information related specifically to universities themselves as well as other sources discussing their rankings/status within today's educational marketplace.

Play The Game

The first step to getting accepted into a top-ranked university is knowing how the game is played. You should be prepared to play by their rules, but don't be afraid to break them if you have no other choice.

Here are some examples:

  • If they require that you submit an essay on your application, make sure it's the best essay in existence and will blow all of their minds away.
  • If they say you need at least three pages of research papers on your extracurricular activities, write 30 pages instead because they can only count to 2 anyway so what do they care?
  • And finally, if they ask for SAT scores or GPA numbers like everyone else does then make sure those numbers are better than anyone else's—or even better than some people who didn't even apply!

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are a great way to stand out, meet people and learn more about yourself. They can also help you build a resume that shows your strengths and interests.

If you want to get accepted into a top-ranked university, extracurricular activities are a must!

A+ For IntraCurriculars, Too

In addition to your academic performance and extracurriculars, the admissions office will want to see that you are a well-rounded student. You need to be passionate about what you do and show that you can work well with others. You don't have to be a leader in every event or club but show that you can be a team player.

You also need to be able to handle responsibility. If there's something important for your group or team at or outside of school, then it's up to YOU (or at least one person) who you chose!

Build Community

  • Join clubs and volunteer. By being a part of student organizations on campus, you'll meet people who share your interests and can help you find meaningful ways to get involved in the community.
  • Attend events hosted by admission officers. Some universities even offer free events for prospective students, like college fairs or open houses where they can learn more about the school and its programs. Attending these types of events allows students to gain insight into what it would be like to attend the school in person; it also gives them an opportunity to speak with admissions officers who are interested in helping them get accepted!

Consider the Price Tag

On the surface, it may appear that higher-ranked universities have a higher price tag. However, this is not always true. Depending on the program you are interested in, costs can vary greatly. It's important to look beyond rankings and consider scholarships and financial aid if you're looking to pay less for school. You will also want to think about living expenses—what does it cost to live in your area or commute?

Make the Best of a Second-Choice School

You may not have gotten into the school of your dreams, but don't let that stop you from finding opportunities to challenge yourself and build relationships with faculty and staff.

Look for opportunities to get involved in clubs, organizations, internships or research projects. These experiences will help you develop skills that are beneficial in the workplace and give you an edge over other students when it comes time to apply for jobs or graduate school. They will also help open doors professionally by giving you access to influential people who can help advance your career path (and can even become mentors).

Socializing is important too! When it comes down to it, most college graduates say they want a job where their colleagues are fun people who enjoy their work as much as they do—so make sure that if this isn't already happening at school then start looking elsewhere now rather than later when it's too late!


You've got to do your research and be willing to put in the work.

  • You've got to do your research and be willing to put in the work. The first step is knowing what you're looking for and where it's available. That means researching the universities that are a good fit and studying their individual programs, admissions requirements, and application deadlines.
  • Next comes the essay—an opportunity for you to connect with the school on a personal level. This is your chance to tell them who you are, why you're applying, what makes you unique as an applicant—and most importantly: why they should accept YOU!
  • Finally comes procrastination...or rather: how not to procrastinate! It's hard but necessary if we want our applications ready in time for deadlines (which start rolling around pretty early these days).

Conclusion

We hope the tips in this article will help you get into a top-ranked university. Remember that there are many different factors that go into admissions, and no one tip is going to guarantee success for everyone. But by following our advice, you can increase your chances of getting accepted—and make sure it's an option worth considering!

Also Read: Stanford University