<p>Do they put more weight on GPA, Test Scores, and numbers, rather than application essays and recommendations? According to collegeboard, the most important factors are GPA and the rigor; the important are App Essay, Recs, Tests, etc. So yeahh. And, does it hurt if you didn't have any interview or didn't visit?</p>
<p>Admission Process*...</p>
<p>Help!</p>
<p>They don't require an interview. I'm not sure how much weight they put on one, but I know they have off-campus interviews. The admissions people travel and then you interview in a hotel (I did this last week). Not sure how much longer they're doing it, but I would call or email the admissions office if I were you. But don't worry--I don't think it can hurt you not to have one.</p>
<p>My advice is to try to get an interview, or at least visit the school & talk to an admissions rep if possible. Your chances will probably be best if you demonstrate interest.</p>
<p>I wouldn't pay much attn to College Board's "ranking" of what is considered important or not in a given college's admissions process. Macalester is a highly selective LAC, and wouldn't be the amazing school it is without closely looking at essays and recs. Yes, GPA, rigor, and scores are important, but I wouldn't say they are more so than essays or recs. The admissions process at Mac (and any other premier LAC for that matter) is one of personal evaluation. Numbers and AP classes don't describe an applicant's personality.</p>
<p>I disagree with OniLawliet.</p>
<p>Of the utmost importance is the rigor your highschool career. Mac, and all LACs for that matter, want to see that you have taken the toughest classes that you can. Also, you need to get good grades to be competitive.</p>
<p>Now, being a small liberal arts college means that MAc gets to spend more time with each application, and they certainly weigh you essays and "intangibles" more then, say, UMich. </p>
<p>Small liberal arts also like to see that you ahve shown interest. there a many ways to do this. visit, interview, email admissions about why you love MAc...</p>
<p>ECs are important too.</p>
<p>If you and another applicant have similar stats and ecs and gpas and all that, and the other has visited and interviewed, i think that mac would take the one who visited. </p>
<p>I guess to answer you question...your transcript is the most important thing. followed by essays, SATs, and ECs. (though not necessarily in that order)</p>
<p>that is my humble opionion, but i'm just another senior vying for a spot at mac next year.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>I can only give you my experience. My D looked much better on paper than another young man we know ... better test scores, better high school, great ECs/recommendations/essays. However, D didn't show any extra interest (focused elsewhere soon after application was sent). The other young man did show extra interest --- he traveled many hours to visit campus & he had an alumni interview. Even though his stats were lower, he had some interesting things about him. He is a really good musician (not music major), worked A LOT in high school, had high test scores compared to his high school profile. In addition, he is a bit quirky, which probably showed through in his essays. D was waitlisted, the young man got in. </p>
<p>The truth is, Mac wants to put together a well balanced class. That involves a lot more than just gpa and test scores. It also makes for an interesting campus, which is a great thing!</p>