Some schools will require an interview with you; some schools that do not require an interview may still recommend it.  Or, an interview may be required only for certain majors.  For example, Purdue University requires an interview from veterinary medicine, veterinary technology and pharmacy applicants.  Likewise, an essay may be required with the application, or it may be recommended but not required.   

Various other factors are also often used as a basis for selection.   This is why you must determine the requirements of the school(s) you want to apply to.  Other requirements could include letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors,  coaches, or other persons who would have knowledge of your high school achievements.  You should expect that college and universities will want to know about  your extracurricular activities and about any involvement in community activities.  The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) may be required for non-native speakers of English.  Alumni affiliation may be considered; for example, if you have a relative who graduated from the school, that could viewed as a positive point.

Academically weak students should view optional factors as a way to boost their image in the mind of the admissions dean.  Where the interview and/or essay are recommended but not required, taking the initiative and asking for an interview and/or submitting an essay could be just what is needed to obtain a favorable decision instead of a negative one.  Sometimes, SAT II scores, if solid enough, can be voluntarily submitted and help offset a weak high school academic record.  Submitting recommendations even though not required could also help. 

For some excellent advice for all college applicants on creating the best impression with the schools you apply to, obtaining and reading Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean is highly recommended.   You see it in the column to the right; you can buy it now by clicking on the link.

To determine the admission requirements of the school(s) you want to apply to, a visit to their Web site may, or may not, yield this information.  Although much information is provided by the colleges and universities in their Web sites, this is one area that not always included in that coverage.  And, due to the many variations in Web site format, finding information on admission requirements in one school's Web site may provide little or no clue to finding the information in another's, and not all schools provide the same level of detail in their Web site concerning admission requirements.  If you visit the Web site and can not find the information you want, you could contact them at an e-mail address provided in the Web site.  If you need assistance in obtaining a Web address, visit our page on College and University Web sites. 

Of course, conventional printed publications found in many public libraries, or you high school guidance office, are another source.  You may also purchase such publications at most book stores, and these may come with a CD which can be used with a computer with a CD-ROM drive and the appropriate software (any specific software needed to use the CD will probably be on the CD; you would simply install it on your computer).  In many cases, you simply use your Web browser to view the content of a CD.  The means of viewing the content of a particular CD should be contained in the instructions that come with it.  

What if I do not meet all requirements for the program I want?
If you have deficiencies in your high school preparation, you may still be able to apply and then correct the deficiency later.  For example, if you want to major in a field that requires four years of math in high school but you took three years of math, you may be able to take a class at college to eliminate the deficiency.  Of course, this may ultimately require a longer time to complete the requirements for graduation from college, since the course taken to correct the deficiency would probably not count toward the degree requirements.  But, this may be an acceptable penalty to pay in order to ultimately get into the academic program you want, so keep knocking on the admissions door until you get an a definite answer on this issue. 

If you are not successful in gaining acceptance to your preferred school due to a deficiency in your high school or other preparation, consider attending a community college to remedy the deficiency.  Then, apply as a transfer student to a school offering the degree you ultimately want to attain.