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You've checked out some colleges, narrowed down your choices, and started to fill out the applications. The only problem is that the school you really like is highly competitive, and based on your academic background, you may not make the cut. The good news is that there are some steps you can take to help you get over that hurdle.

Here's how to put your best foot forward so the admission committees will sit up and pay attention -- even if you're on the borderline.

What's Your Story?
Most college applications request an essay (if it's not a requirement, write one anyway). This is an opportunity for the admission committee to see more of you than what's on your transcript. Write it as best you can and have several people proofread it. Consider this essay a chance for you to tell the admission decision-makers your story. Maybe you moved and had to switch schools halfway through your sophomore year, and that's why your grades dropped from B's to C's. Perhaps you've always had a really hard time with one subject, no matter how hard you try, but it's math and you plan to be an English major. Admission committees only get part of the story from your transcript and list of activities. Give them an opportunity to see the big picture.

Matt McVey, a business major at Mitchell College, New London, CT, knew he hadn't worked hard enough in high school, so he needed a way to distinguish himself. "I was definitely not up to par," he says, "so I tried to use examples of personal stories that showed my more positive traits. I was up front and told [the admission committee] I had much more in me than what my grades reflected. I was ready to work hard, and I think I proved that to them." Matt even got creative and set up a Web site about himself for the admission committee to view.

Of course, that doesn't mean you have to become a techie to impress the committee. Focus on using your essay to describe your goals or how you overcame a struggle in high school. This addition will make a good impression and demonstrate to the admission committee you're determined to be successful in college.

Sean Woolford, assistant director of admission at Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH, agrees. "Being honest about your academics is definitely the best policy -- it answers questions we have right off the bat. The students who put the truth out on the line feel like they're taking a risk, but it's a good risk."

Go On That Interview
If your chosen college or university offers interviews (most do, and some require them), make an appointment right away. You can make a huge impact on an admission team by meeting them in person, and showing your genuine interest in their school. In most cases, this one-on-one opportunity can only help you, and it's usually not as nerve-racking as you might think. Come prepared and ask plenty of questions, but also offer up information about yourself that will help them when it comes time to review your application.

When the day of his interview arrived, Tim Gerardi, an economics/finance major at Southern New Hampshire University, was anxious but ready. "I asked a lot of questions and even dressed like I was going to a job interview. I think they liked to see that I was going to be serious about this and that I wanted it." Use every chance you get to highlight your strengths and show you have what it takes to attend, even if you are a few A's short of being a typical candidate. "My essay wasn't that good and my grades weren't spectacular," says Tim, which is why he knew his interview was so important.

Likewise, Dawn Skowronski, a pre-law major at Newbury College, was hoping her personality would outshine her poor math grades. "I didn't do so well in my math class one year and missed a lot of school because of an illness," she says. "I explained that to the admission counselor and it really helped." Once admission counselors understand what's happening behind the grades, they can take that into account when making a decision on your application.

Ace Your Senior Year
Watch out for senioritis! Keeping your grades up throughout your last year is very important. Colleges and universities may not make admission decisions unless they have at least the first-term grades from your senior year. If you're on the borderline, this will be a valuable chance for you to improve your grades and show the admission committee that you're serious about success.

Any improvement in grades, says Anne Besaw, assistant director of admission at Mitchell College -- even if the grades are lower than they should be -- shows that you're starting to work harder and are serious about school. "An improvement tells me that the student has the motivation and the potential to be successful in college," she explains. "Then, if I get to meet with and talk to his or her guidance counselor, it creates a picture of someone who wants to succeed." Many colleges and universities also view academic improvement from one year to the next as a good sign of your potential; they are more likely to take a chance on you if they see this trend than if your grades reflect a slacker mentality.

Find the Best Fit
When you are applying to colleges, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with what an admission committee is seeking. Is the school highly competitive, where SAT scores and AP courses are key, or does the committee concentrate more on activity involvement and a solid academic transcript? You have a much better chance of getting in if you apply to schools that are looking for qualities you possess.

Wayne Duprey, a student at Newbury College, became interested in his school after hearing about a culinary competition his classmates had competed in. After all, he was passionate about pursuing a career in a service industry. "I knew they had the major I wanted -- hotel and restaurant management -- so from there I went online, checked it out, and requested a viewbook," he says. Then he took the next step to get his foot in the door: "I called the admission office and asked a counselor what kind of student they were looking for. I also asked to speak to a current student in my major, and that helped me prepare myself for admission to the school, because I could compare my academic experience to his and see where the holes were."

If you discover that your dream school might be too hard to get into, apply to at least one school where you'll definitely get in, sometimes called a "safety school." Even if it isn't your first choice, it's important to have a backup plan. Prove yourself academically, and your chances of being able to transfer to your top-choice school a year later will skyrocket. Good luck!

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