5. Reaffirm your first choice interest in the college
After you receive first semester grades at the end of January or early February, send an upbeat letter to the Dean of Admissions and the admissions representative assigned to your school reaffirming your first choice interest in the college and detailing any new or compelling information as of your turning in the original application. This might include:

• Identify why you and the college are a perfect match, including what you are looking for in a college, specific examples of courses, professors, activities and programs you would get involved with.

• Specifically how you would contribute to the college and community.

• Note your first semester grades (and make sure that your school sends them a new transcript) and any new, improved test scores.

• Update the admissions office about any new awards, honors, successes, or accomplishment in your academic, activity, work and/or volunteer involvements. This can be described in the letter and/or shown in an updated resume.

• Send the admissions office a copy of any special work or project you have done, including a paper, research project, art portfolio, cd of a musical performance, etc.

• If you already know, let the reader know of your summer plans, especially if they are impressive.

• Make the admissions people aware of any extenuating circumstances in your life, such as having a learning disability, a debilitating illness or injury or difficult family circumstance.

6. Have glowing letters sent to the admissions office
Have your high school counselor, high school principal (if you know him/her), a teacher (that did not write your first letter), and/or another person outside of school who knows and likes you a lot to send additional letters of recommendation that offer new insights and information about you, your personal qualities and how you would contribute to the college. Make sure they sing your praises.

Don’t overdo it though; a couple of letters will do.

7. Contact a professor, administrator or distinguished alum from the college (who knows you)
If you have excellent college contacts, now is the time to ask them to call or write the college on your behalf.