<p>what is the number one most important factor. I know they look at the WHOLE transcript and everything is important and such but what do YOU think is the most influential? (could be colleges in general if you don't know specifically about Princeton) THANKS</p>
<p>Essays, ECs, and leadership: really, anything to make you stand out, anything that makes you unique. You do have to have the test scores and the grades, of course, but if you just have those and nothing else, then you're probably not getting into Princeton (or any top 10 school, really).</p>
<p>there is a difference between the element that is weighed the most and the one that is most influential</p>
<p>heaviest weight: transcript/rank
most influential: essays</p>
<p>canadian..i disagree... u think rank really has the most weight?! rank varies between schools (some are more competitive than others) so how could they successfully compare students through rank?</p>
<p>It's probably your favorite word.</p>
<p>What if you have slightly lower than the test scores and the grades "required", but you have a single standout special thing? </p>
<p>For example, if, say, Princeton says to itself, "Let's admit us some art majors", and they see a certain application (why, of course I'm not talking about mine!) that lacks impeccable grades and scores, but doesn't lag too far behind in those areas, and has a rather eye-catching portfolio? </p>
<p>I'm not saying that the only thing going for me is my artwork. I just need to know if, like the first post in this thread says, that the applicants with a single ray of hope need to already have the scores and grades.</p>
<p>@ Ny0rker,
Admissions officers say that your transcript/rank is the most important part of your application. Of course they won't admit anyone based on grades alone, but you have to qualify yourself academically first because that's what they all are: academic institutions (this is coming from admissions officers from every single ivy league +stanford's because they tour canada as a group, as well as MIT's info session, Harvard SSP's info session etc).</p>
<p>The reason rank is thrown in there is because of grade deflation at certain schools. If you have a 3.6gpa but it's the highest gpa in your class, then there is no reason for admissions officers to doubt your academic capabilities.</p>
<p>Conversely, if you are at an ultra competitive private school (ie. andover/exeter), your admissions officer has taken care of your region for years and is undoubtedly familiar with said extremely competitive schools. So a relatively low rank (top 25%?) is seen as perfectly acceptable.</p>
<p>And getting back to something you said, they DON'T compare students through rank. You are being judged in the context of your school, and that's exactly what rank does: how well you fared at your own school. If they're going to compare people, it's through ECs/Awards/Essays/that eye-catching thing entangled is talking about.</p>
<p>That being said, transcripts/rank is not what gets anyone in.</p>
<p>@ entangled,
I'm fairly certain that having something really eye-catching will influence your admissions officer to take your case to committee decision in spite of a lack of impeccable grades. What happens there, no one knows.</p>
<p>I think that really good essays, neat ECs and a hook (such as artwork) could possibly make up for not-terribly-outstanding grades in one area. I am a valedictorian, have a 4.0 GPA, and got a 780 CR and 790 W in the SAT. At 640, my math scores were less stellar, but I still got accepted to Yale SCEA. I think there must have been tons of applicants whose scores where much, much better than mine, but what they're truly looking for is passion and love for learning. Try to convey that througout your app, and try to maintain the art theme if you're sending in some of your work. Of course, I'm not any kind of authority in the subject; this is merely my opinion. Good luck.</p>
<p>luxastraea, you gave me so much hope!I have SAT scores similar to yours. Plus, your advice (and the advice above yours) was very encouraging.</p>
<p>^^ Thanks luxastraea! I have scores a lot like yours, too. :)</p>
<p>Definitely line 17 of your essay number 2.</p>
<p>@ entangled: how lacking are you talking about? like CC standards? if you're over 2150ish i'd say it wouldn't be that big of a deal. but i'm fairly certain that princeton will be receiving really good art supplements this year from people who also have really good grades and scores, based on people i know. it depends on how good your art is both on a technical and creative level, and also probably how dominant that one factor actually is in your app.</p>