College board very important/important factors

Applying to College
1

I was looking at Bentley College and on college board’s website it listed the important factors as is:

Very important admission factors:

<pre><code>* Class Rank

  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Secondary School Record
  • Standardized Test Scores
    </code></pre>

Important admission factors:

<pre><code>* Character/Personal Qualities

  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Interview
  • Talent/Ability
  • Volunteer Work
  • Work Experience
    </code></pre>

Considered:

<pre><code>* Alumni/AE Relation

  • Geographical Residence
  • Minority Status
  • State Residency
    </code></pre>

Do you think that much weight is really put on the essay and recomendations?

2

<p>I am not familiar with that college, but in general, yes, a lot of weight is put on essays and letters of recommendation. Those give a more rounded picture of you than test scores and grades.</p>

3

<p>It really discourages me when they list "Minority Status" as an admission factor.</p>

4

<p>Yes, if they put them on the Very Important list they are.</p>

5

<p>Well, for LACs and smaller public schools, a great deal of weight is placed on the essays and recs, since they describe more personal aspects of the applicant that can't be determined from GPAs and test scores. At large state schools like Penn State, admissions is formula driven, so even if they require an essay or extracurriculars list, they just give them a cursory glance.</p>

<p>According to the US News Ultimate College Directory, Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA lists minority status as a "Very Important" factor, but that's not even mentioned on its profile on CB. Strange...</p>