College admissions decisions can appear so arbitrary (even though they aren't), that many students feel that the process is entirely out of their hands. Not so! While much of the process is beyond your control or even knowledge (schools rarely announce that they need more chem majors but fewer business majors in a given year, for example), there are plenty of ways you can retain agency. Building a balanced list of schools you like is critical, as is dedicating time to writing thoughtful essays and putting together a coherent application.

Another way to help ensure that schools know you are interested is to Demonstrate Interest. This is a piece of the process that students cannot afford to skip. As schools decide whom to admit, part of the calculation at some institutions is trying to extend offers only to students they think will actually come (it's called yield protection). So if you haven't attended a virtual session, opened an email, or even visited the website, you may get put in the "unlikely to come" bucket, which may mean ending up in the "not-admitted" bucket.

Ways to demonstrate interest:

• Visit campus
• Get on the school's mailing list (open emails and click on the links!)
• Attend available webinars & school visits
• Apply early
• Run the Net Price Calculator on the website