Dan Rosenfield-Special to the Sun

If you aspire to an Ivy League College, you have your work cut out for you. To say that getting admitted is not an easy task would be a very understatement.

Ninety-five percent of the incoming freshmen at Harvard last fall finished in the top ten percent of their high school classes. And, a fairly high percentage came from highly competitive high schools in which graduating at the top of the class is an especially noteworthy accomplishment. These students were no slouches on the SAT or ACT either, with the middle 50% of the incoming Harvard class scoring in the top 1% of national test takers. Clearly, students who want to attend an Ivy League institution must beat out some very talented competitors. And, here's more bad news for applicants; they have to beat out lots of them. Harvard received 22,754 applications this year. Sadly for them, only 2,124 received the letter they wanted from the Office of Admissions.

Is Harvard tougher to get admitted to than the other Ivy League schools? Perhaps a bit tougher than some, but not much. So, do any students really have a decent chance to find themselves on an Ivy League campus? The short answer is, yes, but their numbers are very limited.

There are two things students applying to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, etc. need to know. First, the bad news; some Ivies, in some years, will admit fewer than 10% of their applicants. Therefore, nobody, however bright or accomplished, should count on being admitted to an Ivy League college. Nobody. Not even valedictorians or students with perfect SAT scores. But, here is the good news; anyone who has the credentials to be a legitimate applicant to an Ivy will almost certainly get into a great college or university.

OK, so how do you position yourself to have a chance to be admitted to an Ivy League institution? You start by taking the most challenging courses your high school offers. If your school doesn't offer Advanced Placement or similarly challenging courses, consider concurrent enrollment at a nearby college. Take both the ACT and SAT early. Analyze the results and determine where you need to improve. Then, get to work immediately. Enroll in a test prep course, work by yourself (with professionally prepared materials) or find a tutor with verifiable, successful test prep experience.

Make yourself what used to be called a "well rounded" student. Become engaged in community service and co-curricular clubs and activities in which you are genuinely interested. Be aware that admissions committees tend to be more impressed with students who have shown serious commitment to a few organizations than students who hold membership in many groups but have contributed little to them.

As difficult and stressful as essays may be, view them as a vehicle that gives you the opportunity to be viewed as a whole person, not as just another faceless high-achiever. You essays need to reflect your best thinking and your best writing. Write as many drafts as it takes to produce essays which do both. Then, ask your counselor and at least one other adult with an appropriate background to read what you have written and make suggestions. Submit your essays only after everyone is satisfied with them.

Consider early decision or a similar program if it is available to you. Such options may improve your chances, but they may not make sense for everyone. Be sure you discuss the pros and cons of these programs with your counselor.

Carefully choose the teachers you ask for recommendations. Be as certain as possible that they have strong communications skills, that they understand how to write a college recommendation, and that they will recommend you with enthusiasm.

Do not be afraid to apply to Ivy League colleges or other highly selective institutions. However, be sure you are also applying to colleges or universities where your admission is virtually assured. There are many wonderful colleges and universities, and you only need a "yes" from one.