Regarding highly selective schools(Top 30). Rank the following:
Academic Rigor/Curriculum
Grades
ECs
Recs
ACT/SAT
Essays
Hooks(first gen/immigrant, legacy, athlete)
Anything else
It varies greatly from school to school. I’m sure there are plenty of threads on these referring to specific schools already.
Google the Common Data Set for each school. There is a section on this.
@intparent I have already done that but it does not show a ranking on which factors are considered the most. Only what is very important and in most cases, all of the following factors are considered very important.
@CollegeMan91 I understand but Im sure that some factors are somewhat similar for highly selective schools.
@bksoccer7 Well the majority of schools consider GPA, Test scores, and course rigor above all. Then probably essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars. There isn’t a “formula” used by any highly selective schools though as far as I know.
Correct. But “holistic admissions” means they can actually use whatever they want for a given applicant. For the very top schools, be great at all of them. The basic questions are (1) can you succeed in the classroom at our school, and (2) what else have you got? There isn’t a formula, though. You might want to read “How to be High School Superstar” by Cal Newport.
@intparent @CollegeMan91 I found this link that describes the admissions process. I am assuming that this is correct for most selective schools, correct?
http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2015/03/ferpa-request-gives-inside-look-duke-admissions-process
You cannot assume the way one schools handles it is the way the rest of the “top” schools handle it. Not even sure what “top 30” colleges you are talking about, anyway. Are you including the very top LACs, for example (Williams, Amherst, Swat)? Your question is vague and doesn’t have one answer – it is kind of a lazy question, really. Some schools put more emphasis on test scores, and I can think of one highly ranked school that does not appear to put as much emphasis on test scores. A student can do great on many of the “top” measurements, but one bad recommendation or a poorly written essay can blow it for them at any of these schools. You want an equation, but there isn’t one. Be as impeccable as possible on all measures, apply to some matches and safeties, and try to figure out which of the reaches are the best fit for you.
They are all important, although some may be more important for some schools. However, you cannot do a quantitative comparison. For instance, GPA 4.0 with less EC or GPA 3.9 with good EC? What is considered good EC and how much leading role is considered good? For top 30 schools, you likely need strength in all of them anyway.
From what I’ve seen it goes
Grades>Rigor>>Test Scores=ECs(Unless these are spectacular)>Hooks=Essays>>Recs>Interview=Interest>Anything else
At pretty much all of the top schools. There is a deviation for every school but it’s a good rule of thumb.