Preparing for Private College or University

Private Colleges Universities


		About Private Colleges and Universities
		Private College and University Accreditation
		Private College and University Rankings
		Preparing for Private College or University
		Choosing a Private College or University
		Applying to Private Colleges and Universities
		Private College and University Scholarships and Financial Aid
		Private College and University Facts
		Return to Main

If you are considering applying directly from high school to a private college or university in the United States, your post-secondary planning process should begin early. Private colleges and universities--or particular programs within an institution--are extremely competitive; therefore, it's important to plan your high school courses accordingly. Your area of interest will determine what you should take. If you are considering a science or technology-based program, you should load up on courses in math, chemistry, physics and computers to ensure that you are well prepared for the schools that make your list. Communication skills are always important, in virtually every field, so don't forget your English! In general, English and math are the most-often required courses for all fields of university and college study. If you are going into a more general program--or don't know yet what you plan to study--then go for breadth: take courses across the curriculum in science, social science, humanities, creative arts and technology. Find out what the university's policy is on pre-requisites, because if you are missing a required course, some institutions will offer specific courses to help you complete what's needed.

Taking the required courses, though, isn't necessarily enough; you should also be sure to keep your grades up. Private colleges and universities in the US have a minimum cut-off average for general admission, which is usually around 70% or higher. Quota or other highly competitive programs may require a competitive grade point average (GPA) of up to 85%. The competitive GPA can change from year to year as it is based on the quality of the applicant pool and space available in the specific program.

In addition to your academics, there are several additional things you can do to prepare for success in your university or college application:

Undertake to read and study independently. This is a good way to develop interests, expand your knowledge and improve the vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for your program. This will also help you if admission requirements include an interview, since you will be able to impress the interviewer or admissions committee with the knowledge you have built up of terms and issues specific to your area or program of interest.

Since lots of students have excellent grades, many private college and university admissions committees base their decision partly on a student's personal qualities. These qualities can be developed through participating in extracurricular activities. Consider joining or even starting school clubs, whether related to your area of interest or not (of course if it is related to your proposed field of study, all the better!). This is also a good way to develop demonstrated leadership skills, which are also an important aspect of any competitive application.

Prove your work ethic. Private university and college study takes a lot of commitment and plain old hard work. Therefore, work experience -- paid or volunteer -- is an achievement often regarded highly by admissions committees. Any work experience related to your chosen field is extremely beneficial: university programs are competitive, and being able to show the admissions committee that you have some experience in the field will be a definite plus.

Validate your interests. Show the admissions committee you are serious by attending a summer camp or community course related to your proposed field of study. Showing that you are committed to pursuing your study interest outside of the classroom can show your committment.

Have fun! Believe it or not, private college and university admissions committees want to see that you are involved in personal interests aside from your academics. These schools want well-rounded candidates, so hobbies, sports or other pasttimes may count for more on your application than you might think!

...Hide[-]

Featured Schools

New Horizons Knoxville

Work toward your certification with New Horizons Knoxville.

Programs Offered:

Microsoft Certified System Engineer
Network Support Specialist Program
Business Productivity Club
more programs...

Campus Locations:

Knoxville, TN

Indiana Wesleyan University

Advance your career with Indiana Wesleyan University.

Programs Offered:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Master of Science in Management
MSM - Human Resource Management
more programs...

Campus Locations:

Louisville, KY

Virginia School of Massage

Prepare for a Career That You Will Love … in Massage Therapy!

Programs Offered:

Professional Massage Therapy Program

Campus Locations:

Charlottesville, VA

National School of Dental Assisting - NorthDallas

Take your career to the next level with National School of Dental Assisting - North Dallas.

Programs Offered:

Texas RDA course
Dental Assisting Certificate

Campus Locations:

Frisco, TX

Ferrari Driving School

Get your career on the right track with Ferrari Driving School.

Programs Offered:

CDL Class A Commercial Tractor-Trailer Driver Training
CDL Class BP Commercial Bus/Truck Driver Training
CDL Class B Commercial Truck Driver Training
more programs...

Campus Locations:

Astoria, NY

First Institute

Gain the skills you need to become successful at First Institute.

Programs Offered:

Medical Assistant
Dental Assistant
Massage Therapy

Campus Locations:

Crystal Lake, IL

The Studio Academy of Beauty

If you are looking for a multi-faceted and dynamic education in the beauty industry then look no further. The Studio Academy of Beauty is focused on your career.

Programs Offered:

Esthetics
Cosmetology

Campus Locations:

Chandler, AZ

Brio Academy

Launch your career with Brio Academy.

Programs Offered:

Esthetics (Skin Care)
Cosmetology
Nail Technology
more programs...

Campus Locations:

East Hartford, CT

Rutgers Business School

Advance your career with a degree from Rutgers Business School

Programs Offered:

Full-Time MBA
Part-Time MBA

Campus Locations:

Piscataway, NJ

Hunter Business School

Hunter Business School offers a wide variety of courses to earn your degree or diploma in computer training, medical engineering, and business related courses.

Hunter offers you all the amenities of a large school, but in a small environment close to home for the Long Island resident.

Programs Offered:

Computer Repair With Networking

Campus Locations:

Levittown, NY

Universities and Colleges

Clarkson University	Colorado School of Mines	Dalhousie University
Oral Roberts University	Penn State Harrisburg	Temple University
The University of Houston	Thompson Rivers University	UNB Saint John
University of Alabama	University of Arkansas	University of British Columbia
University of Iowa	University of New Brunswick	University of Oregon
University of Ottawa	York University



	Agriculture and Bio-resources \| Allied Health and Health Sciences \| Applied Business Technology \| Architecture Business Administration \| Computer Science \| Cosmetology and Esthetics \| Culinary, Travel &Hospitality \| Dance Engineering Technology & Applied Technology \| Engineering \| Film \| Fine Arts and Design \| Humanities and Liberal Arts \| Justice and Security Music \| Natural and Applied Sciences \| Naturopathic and Holistic Medicine \| Nursing \| Public Administration & Policy \| Religious and Theological Studies Sport Sciences and Physical Education \| Teacher Education \| Theatre

	Articles \| College News \| Videos \| Feedback \| Career Search Home \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Terms of Use \| Policy Statement \| Site Map \| Cities Site Map

	DistanceStudies.com \| SchoolsInCanada.com \| CollegesintheUSA.com \| GradSource.com \| CampusStarter.com \| StudentCounsellor.com \| AgricultureProgramsintheUSA.com AlliedHealthProgramsintheUSA.com \| AllUniversitiesintheUSA.com \| ArchitectureSchoolsintheUSA.com \| ArtandDesignSchoolsintheUSA.com \| BeautySchoolsintheUSA.com BusinessProgramsintheUSA.com \| ChristianCollegesintheUSA.com \| ComputerScienceProgramsintheUSA.com \| DanceSchoolsintheUSA.com \| EducationProgramsintheUSA.com EngineeringProgramsintheUSA.com \| FilmSchoolsintheUSA.com \| JusticeandSecurity.com \| MusicSchoolsintheUSA.com \| NaturopathySchoolsintheUSA.com NursingSchoolsintheUSA.com \| PublicAdministrationProgramsintheUSA.com \| ReligiousandTheologicalStudies.com \| www.ScienceProgramsintheUSA.com www.SportsSiencesandPhysicalEducation.com \| www.TheatreSchoolsintheUSA.com
	Copyright © 2003- 2012 www.schoolsintheusa.com. All Rights Reserved.



	Agriculture and Bio-resources \| Allied Health and Health Sciences \| Applied Business Technology \| Architecture Business Administration \| Computer Science \| Cosmetology and Esthetics \| Culinary, Travel &Hospitality \| Dance Engineering Technology & Applied Technology \| Engineering \| Film \| Fine Arts and Design \| Humanities and Liberal Arts \| Justice and Security Music \| Natural and Applied Sciences \| Naturopathic and Holistic Medicine \| Nursing \| Public Administration & Policy \| Religious and Theological Studies Sport Sciences and Physical Education \| Teacher Education \| Theatre

	Articles \| College News \| Videos \| Feedback \| Career Search Home \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Terms of Use \| Policy Statement \| Site Map \| Cities Site Map

	DistanceStudies.com \| SchoolsInCanada.com \| CollegesintheUSA.com \| GradSource.com \| CampusStarter.com \| StudentCounsellor.com \| AgricultureProgramsintheUSA.com AlliedHealthProgramsintheUSA.com \| AllUniversitiesintheUSA.com \| ArchitectureSchoolsintheUSA.com \| ArtandDesignSchoolsintheUSA.com \| BeautySchoolsintheUSA.com BusinessProgramsintheUSA.com \| ChristianCollegesintheUSA.com \| ComputerScienceProgramsintheUSA.com \| DanceSchoolsintheUSA.com \| EducationProgramsintheUSA.com EngineeringProgramsintheUSA.com \| FilmSchoolsintheUSA.com \| JusticeandSecurity.com \| MusicSchoolsintheUSA.com \| NaturopathySchoolsintheUSA.com NursingSchoolsintheUSA.com \| PublicAdministrationProgramsintheUSA.com \| ReligiousandTheologicalStudies.com \| www.ScienceProgramsintheUSA.com www.SportsSiencesandPhysicalEducation.com \| www.TheatreSchoolsintheUSA.com
	Copyright © 2003- 2012 www.schoolsintheusa.com. All Rights Reserved.