<p>Based off your knowledge, rank each option in order of most important to least important in regards to the undergraduate admissions process:</p>
<p>-GPA
-Extracurriculars (sports, clubs, etc)
-SAT scores
-Academic rigor (challenging courseload)
-The Essay
-Race
-Gender
-Legacy
-Location (state)</p>
<p>Also feel free to add anything that I may be missing!</p>
<p>There are a few very different ways to rank this, and truthfully, since admissions is holistic, I’m not convinced that ranking these even matters. 
Still, I’ll take a shot in the dark.</p>
<p>Assuming that you’re comparing the absolutely most amazing/beneficial of each (e.g. 2400 + 5’s on 20 AP’s + 800’s on 6 SAT IIs for the “test scores” section; national and international awards along with founding a state-wide organization for ECs; quadruple legacy; etc.), I’d go with the following order:
<p>If you’re talking about a typical overachiever (e.g. maybe top 1% in class with a 2200+ and 7 or 8 AP courses, plus two or three leadership positions, etc.), though, I’d re-order the list like this:
<p>Really, it’s a matter of what sets you apart. If you have typical ECs, location, essays, recommendations, etc., then a 2400 along with regularly taking courses at UCBerkeley will probably be what makes you unique. On the other hand, if you are in the top 5% or so of your class, but hold national leadership positions, your ECs will put you over the top. Still, people who take classes at Berkeley and MIT, or are USAMO/USABO/etc. qualifiers and Intel semifinalists, or score 2400, or publish novels as teens…they are still likely more common than billionaires’ heirs or royalty who will fund entire research centers. In that case, whatever is most unique (in a positive way) will probably win.</p>
<p>This is pure speculation, of course. I certainly don’t know what goes on in adcoms’ minds. I think that, as a student, it’s safest just to do what you love while keeping in mind your academics. Don’t worry about the rest. There’s more to life than college.</p>
<p>In which cases the “Location” and “Race” are in priority?</p>
<p>It’s really hard to say. I don’t think you can rank them, but that it depends on the college and the person’s strengths/weaknesses.</p>
<p>I think it’s about finding a balance between individuality(showing passion in an EC or other factor), challenging yourself academically(provided you are still succeeding) and well-roundedness. Also, showing your leadership potential and your potential as an excellent citizen/community member.</p>
<p>The essay is VERY important as it is the only place where you can portray yourself as a person and it can make your application stand out from the crowd of people with high stats and endless EC’s. I’ve heard that it can make or break an application(but is not the deciding factor).</p>
<p>It’s good to have extensive EC’s but at a lot of colleges, everyone will. Especially at top universities, it’s hard to stand out unless you have had MAJOR achievements. You need other things to make your app stand out(ie: the essay!!). Just don’t join a ton of random ones, they’ll think you joined just to look good on the app. Join only a few for interest, dedication, and passion and devote a lot of time to those and it will look really good.</p>
<p>Race and Gender… I wouldn’t read too much into that. Not a major deciding factor at all. However, a person’s situation is considered, depending on the toughness of the situation, how they dealt with it(it can show maturity), and if it affects any aspect of the application.</p>
<p>Location: not a deciding factor, but SOME colleges(not all) would rather accept a student who lives in the same state, especially if it’s public. Why? Because they have been paying taxes that fund the school, and in-state students are more likely to choose that college than an out-of-state student because out-of-state students have to pay a lot more at public universities. Schools don’t want to admit a ton of students that decline the offer. So it might be a little more competitive for out-of-state students.</p>
<p>Legacy: Well, if your family donated a ****load of money to the school, you’ll probably get in. It depends on the school though, and how much money. And if your whole family has gone their since before time began, then you’ll probably get in, provided you’re not a buckethead with a 2.0</p>
<p>And I will quote Z.Exodus2008:
“This is pure speculation, of course. I certainly don’t know what goes on in adcoms’ minds. I think that, as a student, it’s safest just to do what you love while keeping in mind your academics. Don’t worry about the rest. There’s more to life than college.” </p>
<p>It is all speculation for myself also. And please take his advice :)</p>
<p>Oh, and if you want info for a specific college, go to collegeboard.com, search for that college, and then click on Admissions. It shows which factors are required, very important, or considered. Very helpful.</p>
<p>Example: [College</a> Search - Yale University - Admission](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board) – scroll down a bit to find it.</p>