<p>Hello everyone! Quick question to ask about UVA admissions. What weight do extracurriculars have on your overall application? I know that UVA says they have use a "holistic" view when reviewing applicants, but does that mean that UVA admissions values extracurriculars just as heavily as SAT scores, class schedule, and GPA? As an in state applicant, will UVA even look at my extracurriculars if i have a 1910 SAT and 3.91 GPA (IB Diploma)? I know that my scores are on the lower side, but I feel as if my extracurriculars and leadership positions are better representatives of my ability than my GPA / SAT. Is there a cut off?</p>
<p>Hey! I think ECs are important as they show if you can contribute outside your classroom. I dont know of your instate question but from what i have heard every school will take a glimpse of your ECs to get a better picture of you. Good Luck</p>
<p>We are not admissions representatives so we can’t tell you what is going to tip an application, or how much weight something will be given. Dean J has stated that the transcript is the first thing they look at. She has also stated both on her blog and in this forum that there are no SAT cut offs, so I feel very confident passing that information on to you.</p>
<p>At UVA and schools that have similar admissions styles, what we’ve heard from admissions folks is this: The academic report, the recommendations, and the essay(s) come first. Then a glance at the test scores. Finally the other stuff, including ECs.</p>
<p>Also, at UVA the admissions dean we talked with emphasized that they look primarily at the academic strength.</p>
<p>Make of that what you will. Your mileage might vary.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that there is not point system or rubric used in the application review, so we don’t talk about the “weight” of a component.</p>
<p>This year, I’ve started talking about the application as a puzzle. Your four years of high school make up the largest, most central piece of the puzzle, but the other parts of the puzzle complete the picture. :)</p>