FIVE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS in ADMISSION

These are the five most important factors in the admission process as reported by the colleges and universities. The information was compiled by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Percents represent the percent of institutions indicating the factor as having considerable importance.

If you are interested in how different types of colleges from different parts of the country value different factors like essays, class rank, recommendations, etc., see the entire report.

Conclusion:  Admission begins with academics: grades and test scores

Education Unlimited, of Berkeley, CA recently produced a study revealing a gap between how admission personnel make decisions and how parents, students and some counselors THINK they make decisions. Many parents, students, and even some counselors over-estimate the importance of activities and underestimate the importance of grades and test scores. According to their study, sports are especially overestimated and test scores are the most underestimated factors. While recruited athletes are favored in admission; simply having participated in a sport may be acknowledged in the admission process, but will not be a deciding factor.

Our Advice:  Take care of the real business first: grades and test scores.

Participate in activities and sports out of interest and because they increase the quality of your life. Do not sacrifice your grades in order to do some activity that will look good on your college application.

Note that selective private schools are a different breed. They want students to have special interests and skills. See: Applying To The MOST Selective Colleges Is A Different Game!