https://apir.wisc.edu/institution/common-data-set-and-rankings/
Wow- There was a serious shift in important vs very important factors.
Essay and rigor of course load were marked as very important and GPA, test scores, and recommendations were marked as important this past year instead of the GPA and test scores carrying more weight.
@CAmom01 That is very interesting to see the changes, curious what 2019’s report will look like!
The essay is now considered more important than just your GPA, and that might help explain some high-stats deferrals. But not surprised that GPA itself is now recognized as not quite as strong a factor as it used to be. After all, 78% of applicants report GPA’s of 3.75 or higher! How exactly can that number be used to distinguish among candidates? Makes more sense to look at performance within the context of course rigor.
Test scores have been “important”, rather than “very important”, for at least awhile now. It seems that academic performance has always been considered a top factor and that will no doubt continue.
The LOR was promoted to “important” from “considered” in the 2017-18 CDS. So they have given it more weight now than in prior years.