<p>OK:</p>
<li>GPA</li>
<li>SAT Reasoning</li>
<li>Course load</li>
<li>SAT IIs</li>
<li>EC
5b. Sports (unless you are recruited, then it becomes 2b)</li>
<li>Recs</li>
<li>Essays</li>
</ol>
<p>*not counting hooks</p>
<p>As you can see, Academics is still the single most important factor for the vast majority of applicants. Remember, colleges’s primary mission is to teach, not to coach. So if you are worried about not having sports, don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>I definitely wouldn't put essays last...</p>
<p>yea same here</p>
<p>I'd say SATs are more important than GPA.</p>
<p>courseload seems a little high, and essays seem a little low...</p>
<p>is this information based on expert opinions or statistics or just your opinion?</p>
<p>And doesn't it also depend on the kind of school? I thought that large state schools tend to look more at GPA and SATs, while smaller LACs also value essay, interview and ECs etc. very highly. Also, there is really quite a number of schools that doesn't require the SAT anymore.</p>
<p>yeah, what she said.</p>
<p>of course there is no magical formula
but this is the general sequence if you are an average competent applicant for elite schools</p>
<p>You lie.</p>
<p>The magical formula consists of Betty Crocker brownie mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, and 1/4 cup water.</p>
<p>This is just stupid... the importance of different criteria varies for every school. For some schools Recs and Essays can easily be more important than EC... some very good schools dont even require the SAT... I mean its not a horribly innaccurate breakdown... but it just can't be simplified like that.</p>
<p>drumndukie, YOU are just stupid
jk, but if you don't like it, leave, please</p>
<p>i lie? i lay</p>
<p>I'm not even going to encourage you...</p>
<p>Except... that's encouraging.</p>
<p>When you mention gpa, I think its 1. unweighted then 1b. weighted</p>
<p>they don't care about weighted
they care about courseload</p>
<p>you lay? you lie</p>
<p>So its pretty stupid that the SAT is so high on the list. I'm not saying that colleges don't, but that they shouldn't consider it so much.</p>
<p>Courseload > GPA. Colleges would prefer someone who got B's in all honors classes over someone who got A's in all regular classes. And they see through BS electives, too.</p>
<p>That is, unless if you meant WGPA instead of GPA.</p>
<p>I would group SAT II's with SAT I, along with AP's.</p>
<p>Sports shouldn't be highlighted. Colleges don't look for sports involvement for all applicants. They look for commitment and leadership.</p>
<p>You forgot work experience, unless if you would put that under EC's (I would).</p>
<p>And you forgot awards/recognitions. I would put it right below EC's I think.</p>
<p>My version:</p>
<ol>
<li>Transcript (WGPA, GPA, and rank; demanding courseload; college-level courses)</li>
<li>Test scores (SAT I, SAT II, ACT, AP)</li>
<li>EC's (long-term commitment, leadership ability, and pursued interest through organizations, sports, community service, work experience)</li>
<li>Recognitions/awards</li>
<li>Making the best use of your summer vacation (not just sitting around)</li>
<li>Recommendations</li>
<li>Essays (writing ability and content)</li>
<li>Demonstrated interest in each individual school (not all do this though)</li>
</ol>
<p>You forgot MONEY. >/</p>