<p>I often see members here on CC saying that what I listed in the title can "make up" for low grades even when applying to top schools, but what qualifies as such?</p>
<p>Many of these are outside your control, such as your parents donating a lot of money to the school or being well known persons in politics/business/etc.</p>
<p>In terms of your own achievements, being a recruited athlete is the best known one. There may be other exceptional talents that may be considered as well. Taking numerous advanced college courses while in high school and getting A or A+ grades in them may wash away a worse record in high school courses. High achievement starting from a disadvantaged environment can also be seen favorably.</p>
<p>Of course, whether “low” grades can be countered in this way depends on how low they are. Having such “extras” with a 3.7 HS GPA is certainly better than trying to rely on them to counter a 2.1 HS GPA.</p>
<p>You mean what hardships are considered? There isn’t a ‘making up’ as much as consideration given. Of course consideration will also be given to evidence of ability and potential. Holistic colleges consider your circumstances. they don’t assign percentages or categories of what is a hard enough hardship to overcome. I’m not going to make a list of them either. That’s depressing that you would ask. Why don’t you just stick to your own situation and see what you can make of it.</p>