The bottom line is that the best undergraduate courses in the best colleges across India and the world have less than 25% acceptance rates, on average. That is, fewer than 1 student gets accepted out of every 4 applicants. So, how to submit a winning college application as an Indian high school student?
Increasing Competition in College Applications
Acceptance rates for top US universities like MIT, Stanford are below 4%, while Ashoka University receives over 25,000 applications for around 1,200 seats.
So, if you are an ambitious high schooler hoping to apply to college within the next three years, here are some ways you can distinguish your application to give yourself the best shot at your dream college.
While each college is unique and might be looking for something particular (Carnegie Mellon is looking for quirky and passionate people, Stanford is looking for international excellence, Cambridge is looking for research and academic excellence, and Ashoka is looking for independent thinkers), generally, all colleges want driven, passionate, and smart students who would add value to their classroom. Read more about University-Specific Admission Guidelines.
Here are 7 key elements to strengthen your college application as an Indian High Schooler:
Strong Academic Record
Nothing compensates for grades, and this is the underlying element of any great application. So, if you were hoping for a formula to override marks, it’s time to open your eyes to the reality of grade levels. While most universities don’t announce cutoffs (Including Delhi University, which made the friendly cutoff infamous), there are unwritten norms for high school grades that prove your ability to handle the course load at a leading university. Average grade levels are often published unofficially for almost any university.
And you are a smart test-taker who can crack the grades, you have won half the battle. The rest of the battle lies in the next six points.
Rigorous Curriculum Choices
Demonstration of a rigorous curriculum is really about the ability to take on a difficult course load (if you can handle it). You have to understand that A Cambridge A Level student taking four subjects may demonstrate rigor differently than a CBSE student taking core science and math. Read more about IB vs CBSE vs A Levels vs ISC.
Universities respect a student who pushes themselves outside their comfort zone to take on challenging courses. Students who get good scores in Advanced Placement (AP) exams also signal a very strong study ethic. We highly recommend that you take on higher-level courses in the subjects you are planning to pursue at college.
Standardized Test Scores and Entrance Exams
Although most US colleges are test-optional now, a great SAT/ACT score adds a lot of value to students applying to competitive colleges and competitive courses. While the SAT and ACT are optional in many US colleges, they still help Indian applicants stand out — especially since schools abroad may not be fully familiar with Indian grading systems. Many Indian colleges also now accept the scores instead of their own admission test. Read all you need to know about SAT, ACT, and TSA.
IELTS (or TOEFL) is mandatory for most students applying abroad.
Some UK universities like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and Imperial in the UK require testing, including the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), the Mathematics Admissions Test MAT), the Physics Admissions Test (PAT), Law National Admissions Test (LNAT). Read more about standardized tests for college admissions abroad.
Indian universities have their own admissions test. Besides the obvious JEE, NEET, and CLAT in India, the private Indian colleges like Ashoka have their own AAT test, OP Jindal has JSAT, Flame has FEAT, and the list goes on. Read more about the entrance exams for college admissions in India. Also, remember, if you’re applying to Indian universities like Ashoka, Krea, or OP Jindal, your essays and interviews often weigh as much as your marks.
Compelling Personal Statement and/or Essays
Essays are where you showcase your personality – as well as the depth of your knowledge about the subject you are applying for. Personal essays are a place to connect with the human side of the admissions team – and engage them in a conversation. Your essay should reflect your unique voice- your story, your life, your values, your perspectives, and your personal growth. Learn more about how to write Supplemental Essays for College Admissions.
Statements of purpose allow you to showcase how well you understand Economics or Computer Science or International Relations, or any other subject; what aspects of the subject you enjoy; what research and reading you have done outside the syllabus; and what projects or internships have helped you understand its practical applications.
Meaningful Extracurricular Pursuits
Extracurricular activities add to your credentials only when they are consistent over at least 2 years and hopefully, more! Colleges like to see students develop in a continued area of interest over their high school years. Contests and awards add to your credentials with top colleges expecting national and international levels of participation. Performance videos are of value, and several students make their own websites or YouTube channels to showcase their work.
Competitive Indian students increasingly take online research programs or summer schools with institutions like Young Scholar Academy, Lumiere, or Oxford Royale Academy. Students from Delhi Public School and The Cathedral & John Connon have successfully used their community projects to enhance their profiles.
Quality and depth are of more value here than quantity and variety. There is more value in pursuing two things, but deep diving into those, rather than doing many things superficially. It’s also advisable to build your profile in the area you plan to study in college. For example, if you want to pursue psychology later, it helps to have pursued internships/ research work and joined clubs related to psychology, mental health, or human resources.
Recommended Article: How to Build an Impactful Activities List for the Common App
Community Service with Real Impact
Community service seems to be one of the checklist items that all students want to cross off the list at some point in their high school journey. However, what really makes a difference to your college application is if you have made a noticeable, concrete, and positive change to the community/ organization you were trying to help. Numbers help in showcasing this impact – the amount of funding raised, the number of workshops conducted, the number of medical kits distributed, or the number of users touched by an app.
Stellar Letters of Recommendation
The purpose of letters of recommendation is for colleges to hear directly from people who know students well, to gain a better understanding of the person behind the application. Make sure to choose someone whose class you are performing well in. Try to also choose someone who is a little familiar with you and can emphasize your strengths.
One good tip is to share a summary sheet with the teacher who is providing your letter of recommendation. It’s hard for teachers to remember what each student did over the year; therefore, you can share a list of your accomplishments in that subject and relevant information with your teacher. It makes their life a bit easier, and it helps them write specifics in your LOR. Learn more about how to secure personalized and strong letters of recommendation for college admissions.
Summing Up
Building a successful college application is not about ticking boxes — it’s about showing who you are, what drives you, and how you’ll add value to your chosen university. Whether you’re aiming for Ashoka or Amherst, OP Jindal or Oxford, the foundation remains the same: strong academics, genuine passion, meaningful engagement, and a clear sense of purpose.
Start early, plan strategically, and focus on depth rather than quantity — admissions officers everywhere appreciate authenticity over perfection. If you’re unsure how to bring these elements together into a powerful, well-balanced application, our team at Inomi can help you design a profile that reflects your unique strengths and aspirations.
Your dream college isn’t just looking for the best student — it’s looking for the right fit. Make sure your application tells that story. Need help building your profile or crafting your college essays? Talk to a counselor at Inomi to plan your dream college journey.
The writer is Founder and CEO, Inomi Learning, a Gurugram-based career and college guidance firm. info@inomi.in
The original article was first published in ‘The Hindu’ on April 16th, 2023.
With inputs from Kritika Malhotra.
Richa Dwivedi Saklani is a certified coach from UCLA and is an accredited MBTI trainer who has worked with over 10,000 people across career planning and as a behavioral trainer in companies. She is the CEO & Founder of Inomi Learning and author of “The Ultimate Guide to 21st Century Careers”.