---
title: How to Get Into an Elite College
description: It's more than just hard work and good grades.
authors:
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    url: https://money.com/author/turner-cowles/
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published: '2015-07-22T15:04:01.000Z'
modified: '2024-04-02T05:00:01.000Z'
section: Education
tags:
  - Best colleges
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  - College Admissions
  - david oxtoby
  - elite college
  - getting into college
  - how to get into college
  - MONEY's Best Colleges
  - Pomona College
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word_count: 103
canonical: https://money.com/get-into-elite-college-tips/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
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> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![150722_FF_EliteCollege_GRAB_1](https://img.money.com/2015/07/150722_ff_elitecollege_grab_1.png)

Elite colleges like Pomona College and the Ivies look for several things in incoming students, grades and test scores among them. But it'll take more than just straight As to get into an elite school.

**Passion.** Students should have a passion for something. Colleges want people who are unique in some way and can contribute to on-campus community.

**Academic qualifications.** Have you taken the most challenging courses and pushed yourself?

**Grittiness.** Have you overcome obstacles? Admissions officers love an underdog story.

**Communication.** How well do you write; how well do you speak? Play to your strengths.

*[Check out Money’s 2015-16 Best Colleges rankings](https://money.com/best-colleges/)*

![](https://content.money.com/wp-content/themes/money2018/img/newsletter/money-homepage-newsletter-120.png)

NEWSLETTER: COLLEGE\_PLANNERSign up for **COLLEGE\_PLANNER** and more [View Sample](https://money.com/subscribe/)

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