<p>Just begining the college admissions process. From the wealth of info on this forum I have come up with the following weightings used by Adcoms on average:</p>
<p>SAT 25%
Course work/ class rank 25%
SATII 15%
EC's 15%
Recs 10%
Essays 10%</p>
<p>Would most agree or disagree with these weightings?</p>
<p>Disagree.</p>
<p>For virtually all colleges, the first cut is whether one has done the required courseowrk. If one hasn't, one simply is totally out of consideration.</p>
<p>After that, comes grades. If one' s average doesn't meet the minimum, in most cases, one's application is tossed out.'</p>
<p>For some, but not all colleges, scores are next. Some colleges don't consider them. </p>
<p>Some colleges also don't really conside4r ECs or recommendations. This includes many public institutions, which basically make decisions by curriculum and grades and possibly class rank.</p>
<p>Most colleges don't consider SAT IIs at all.</p>
<p>The very select colleges, where 85% or so of the applicants are highly qualified for admission, but a great deal of emphasis on ECs, recommendations, essays and factors such as one's ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, political leanings, etc.</p>
<p>disagree, as well. The HS transcript is #1 criteria, and it counts for two things: a) grades; b) strength of schedule. Test scores won't get a kid in, but could keep them out, i.e., a 1600 with a 3.0 gpa would not get a look at the selective schools (absent the ability to throw a fastfall 90 mph). Similarly, a Valedictorian with an 1100 would have some explain'n to do.</p>
<p>I agree with NSM. Coursework is number one. And this is exactly right:
[quote]
The very select colleges, where 85% or so of the applicants are highly qualified for admission, put a great deal of emphasis on ECs, recommendations, essays and factors such as one's ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, political leanings, etc.
[/quote]
In fact, on the Common Data Set, there are some top ten LACS that list "character" as a top criterion (in the section where each colleges rank what is Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered). When virtually all applicants have great grades and scores, other things come into play.</p>
<p>In addition, the CD Sets are useful because they show there is no "on average." Some schools, especially very large ones, use scores more than others, for example.</p>
<p>Oh - and welcome to the forum! Hope this is just your first post of many! :)</p>
<p>Thanks veronwe:</p>
<p>Right off the bat I can see my criteria scale has been heavily influenced by the forum's emphasis on very selective schools.</p>
<p>My son is just beginning the process, too. Some schools apparently don't care a fig about ECs, essays, recs, and SAT IIs. Others, after an intial screening, count those things fairly heavily. I doubt there's an average since this varies so widely among different schools.</p>
<p>sleepless, what tier of schools are you considering?</p>
<p>Initially considering LAC's in the Northeast. Not sure if my stats are worthy.
SAT 1250 (estimate)
GPA 3.5 just barely in top 10%</p>
<p>Welcome! I'm afraid I have to also disagree - Strongly - based on actual research surveys of admissions reps.</p>
<p>Here's my take on what really matters at most schools in order of importance. I'd say the top two - curriculum and GPA count for about 50% of admits at most schools. The others vary in importance. But curriculum and GPA are the most heavily weighted at EVERY school, even huge publics.</p>
<p>High school curriculum
GPA
ALL Test scores (SAT I and SAT II if required by the school for admissions)
Rank
Extracurriculars
Essay
Recommendations
interview
Minority status and other personal factors
Geographic residence
Demonstrated interest in the school
Character
Ability to pay (only 50 schools out of the 3500 in the country are "need blind")
College's familiarity with high school</p>