<p>Maybe it would help to look at it this way regarding the top 10 or 20 Unis and Colleges in the US:</p>
<p>Take a scale of 1-5, with 5 being best, and 1 being worst.</p>
<p>SAT:
2300+ = 5
2200-2290 =4
2100 - 2190 = 3
2000 - 2090 = 2
1700-1990 = 1</p>
<p>Transcript:
3.9+ with a rigorous course load at a demanding, competitive entry HS = 5
3.8+ with a rigorous course load at a demanding, competitive entry HS = 4
3.6+ with a rigorous course load at a demanding, competitive entry HS = 3
3.3+ with a rigorous course load at a demanding, competitive entry HS = 2
3.0+ with a rigorous course load at a demanding, competitive entry HS = 1</p>
<p>Subtract 0.5 for moderately rigorous course load.<br>
Subtract 1.0 for slightly rigorous course load
Subtract 1.5 for mix of college prep and non-college prep courses</p>
<p>Subtract 0.5 for a strong HS that does not require entrance exams for inclusion in the school (e.g. Gunn in Palo Alto).
Subtract 1.0 for a typical well off suburban public High School where 50-80% go on to 4 year colleges (e.g. Palos Verdes Peninsula HS).
Subtract 1.5 for a typical suburban High School where less than 50% go on to a 4 yr. college</p>
<p>That gives you a starting point for your “Statistical Academic Strength”. If an applicant is not an Athlete or URM or Hardship case, or remarkable EC (or possibly Legacy), this is the point at which a 9 or 10 pt applicant has about the same chance of admittance as listed in the schools Admittance Stats… e.g. if a school is 16% admit rate, a 9 or 10 point applicant has 16% chance, to then be adjusted by ECs and letters of Rec. </p>
<p>ECs: also on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being something that truly impresses the adcom</p>
<p>Esscy: on a 1-2.5 scale, with 2.5 being an essay that captivates the reader.</p>
<p>Letters of Rec, on a 1-2.5 scale. 2.5 is a well written letter specifically identifying how the applicant’s specific strengths will contribute to the vitality of a specific college.</p>
<p>Now, for hooks:</p>
<p>Recruited Star Athlete: can add 10 points to the score, depending on Institutional flexibility
Recruited non-star Potential starting Athlete: up to 5 points
Male African American: 3-5 points
Internationally recognized Scholar (acclaimed author, published researcher, science competition winner, etc.): Add up to 3 points
Female African American: 2-4 points
Hispanic or American Indian: 1-3 points
Legacy: 1-2 points
Unusual Talent that will be used at a School sponsored activity (i.e. bassoon player): 1-2 points
Geographic desirability: 0-1 points
Intended Major desirability: 0-1 points (i.e. Linguistics major when Linguistics Dept. is schrinking)</p>
<p>So the unhooked scale goes to 20, with a possible overage for Hooks. All applicants from non-competitive-entry HS start with a 19.5 max, per the notation above. All applicants with an average HS course load start with a a max of 19 by the same notations above. All the areas work together, but some applicants start out with a higher possible total base on their school and their choices of course rigor.</p>
<p>19-20, a near perfect applicant, has let’s say, eight times the chance of admittance vs. the average applicant in the pool. If Harvard’s general applicant pool acceptance rate is 6%, the 19-20 applicant has 48% chance.</p>
<p>Though it is not possible to quantify what goes on in an admissions office, ultimately whatever system they use tallies together points for SAT, Transcript, ECs, and letters of Rec. To this is then added points for Hooks.</p>