Order of importance (1-6)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I have been meaning to ask this question, and finally I decided what the hell and throw it on the forum.</p>

<p>From 1 to 6, 1 being the most important, how would you rate the following,</p>

<p>Essay
SAT
GPA
Interview
Recommendation
Extra Curricular</p>

<p>Some general guidelines...</p>

<p>No flaming, if you disagree, then post what you find is reasonable, but don't turn this thread into a rotten feud between differences of opinion. </p>

<p>There are no wrong answers, but if you disagree, go ahead and post, just try and keep it orderly..</p>

<h2>Back Up Your reasoning. Anyone can copy and paste a list and click the post button, try to be insightful.</h2>

<p>I'll start off to get things rolling, ^^</p>

<p>Essay (1)
SAT (4)
GPA (5)
Interview (3)
Recommendation (2)
Extra Curricular (6)</p>

<p>I believe the essay and reccomendation are the most important in the acceptance process. They give more life into the applicant. The Interview... well yea it is very important (especially if the college of question remembers you by your interview), but the fact of the matter is many people will be forgotten by the interview. What the colleges will have in front of them is our essay, reccomendation, gpa, SAT, and general info about us. If we shine in the interview, that is definately a leg up, otherwise all the college will know us by is our essay and our reccomendation.</p>

2

<p>Essay (1)
SAT (5)
GPA (2)
Interview (6)
Recommendation (4)
Extra Curricular (3)</p>

<p>I think your writing skills are one the most important things you need for college, and essays can reveal something your app cannot. At the same time, GPA and EC's make you a strong candidate and are kind of a pre-req to getting into the top schools. After that, the recommendation can give great insight as to what the student is really like in class. Standardized tests are well... just tests... just 4 hours of your life, though they can be a good stat to compare with others. The interview is optional, so I put it last, though it can be great in revealing any personal qualities that paper can't.</p>

3

<p>There is no "order of importance". If you do poorly on any of those 6, maybe with the exception of interview, you're not getting in.</p>

4

<ol>
<li>Secondary school record (GPA, courses and rank)</li>
<li>GPA alone</li>
<li>SAT</li>
<li>Extracurriculuar</li>
<li>Essays</li>
<li>Recommendation</li>
<li>Interview</li>
</ol>

<p>Of course, at top colleges you have to be strong in all those categories to have an average shot, and an additional hook for a respectable shot. At less selective places, GPA or SAT alone will do.</p>

5

<ol>
<li>GPA/School Courseload/Rank in Class</li>
<li>Extracurricular Activities</li>
<li>Essays</li>
<li>Recommendations</li>
<li>SAT</li>
<li>Interview</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, I know I have two #3s. I am one to believe they are equally important.</p>

6

<ol>
<li>GPA, Rank</li>
<li>SAT</li>
<li>Essays</li>
<li>Extracurriculuars</li>
<li>Interview</li>
<li>Recommendations</li>
</ol>

7

<p>"I think your writing skills are one of the most important things you need for college"</p>

<p>Sentences like these are always sadly ironic.</p>

<p>By the way, what is the point of this thread? All these people are talking about what they "believe" is important - what basis do they have for these beliefs? Unless all these posters have inside connections to admissions offices, they are probably basing their opinions on their own interpretations of sources (college admission books and the like) to which we all have access.</p>

<p>Wouldn't we be better off just reading the primary sources, then? Additionally, many posters here are describing what they think admissions should be like - this may or may not accurately reflect the actual admissions process. I just don't see the point (unless it's solely for amusement).</p>

8

<p>Dooit, i have to disagree because many colleges list the order of importance for those criteria</p>

9

<p>Essay- 3
SAT- 2
GPA-1
Interview-5
Recommendation-6
Extra Curricular-4</p>

10

<p>I personally think this question may be heavily biased... of course if I have a 4.0 gpa I am going to say that GPA is most important...</p>

11

<ol>
<li>SAT and GPA</li>
<li>Extracurriculars</li>
<li>Essay
4.Recommendation
5.Interview</li>
</ol>

<p>I say SAT and GPA are the most important because they are what get you in the door, so to speak. Your ECs set you apart from other applicants, and your essay expresses your personality.</p>

12

<p>If you had 4.0 GPA and are applying to a state school, then GPA is most important.</p>

<p>If you had 4.0 and are applying to Harvard, then essays and EC are most important.</p>

13

<p>important is relative. For people with good stats essay is the most important. But for those with bad stats GPA and SAT are obviously improtant. Also as Flavian said different according to the schools ur applying to.</p>

14

<p>it depends on the college</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
By the way, what is the point of this thread? All these people are talking about what they "believe" is important - what basis do they have for these beliefs? Unless all these posters have inside connections to admissions offices, they are probably basing their opinions on their own interpretations of sources (college admission books and the like) to which we all have access.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Very good, the point of this thread is asking for peoples opinions. You normally find a wide range of opinions in forums, including here, ^_^.</p>

<p>Of course this isn't a basis of what people should work toward, all this thread is asking for is your opinion. This thread isn't trying to reshape the admission process, its just a thread where, as you said, people gather their interpretations of what generally admissions offices find important. Why I put this thread? Simply to see what people think. The best way to see how the admissions process normally works for a particular college is to visit their guided tours and/or information sessions. Thats the best opportunity I see to ask (or be told :p).</p>

<p>
[quote]
I just don't see the point (unless it's solely for amusement

[/quote]
</p>

<p>In short, It is solely for discussion.</p>

16

<p>1-GPA
2-SAT
3-EC's
4-Essays
5-Rec's
6-Interview</p>