Criteria for student’s study habits in college admissions

Hello everyone! I've heard that colleges don't just look at grades and test scores, but also study habits. This may be a stretch, but does anyone know what colleges typically search for when looking at a student's study behaviors?

While it's true that colleges evaluate a student's academic performance through grades and test scores, there isn't really a direct way for admissions officers to assess study habits per se. However, they can infer them through other means.

For example, consistent strong performance over a period indicates good study habits. Showing an upward academic trend is also positive, as it suggests that you've been applying better study strategies over time. Similarly, taking challenging courses such as Honors, AP, or IB classes can demonstrate your willingness to take on rigorous study loads.

Admissions officers also learn about your work ethic and commitment via your extracurricular activities, jobs, or volunteering experience. Top colleges look for a "spike," which is a deep, sustained commitment to a couple of activities, indicating that you can manage your time effectively and stick to tasks, traits associated with good study habits.

In case you are looking at more holistic admissions, your recommendation letters can play a role. When your teachers speak to your academic rigor, curiosity, persistence, collaboration, and enthusiasm for learning, they are indirectly talking about your study habits.

Keep in mind that it's better to show colleges your study habits indirectly through these ways, rather than writing about them in your essays. Stick to talking about your passions, achievements, and lessons learned in your essay. For instance, you might want to reflect on overcoming an academic challenge you faced, which could indirectly refer to your study habits amidst the journey.