<p>@Erin’s Dad - I think most flagships (including the University of Kentucky) like to consider themselves as “highly selective” and using “holistic admissions”. Thus, they list a large number of factors, including ECs, as Considered on the Common Data Set. However, in the case of UK specifically, and I assume with most other flagships as well, admission boils down to rigor of courses, GPA and test scores. These are the only three factors listed by UK as Very Important and they do not have any listed as Important. In the Considered area, Interviews are included, but both of my kids were admitted without even having an interview. I also know that one of my kids was admitted before UK received any LOR from teachers, which is also listed as Considered. tOSU might be slightly different, but they receive 25k applications which is roughly the same number as Harvard and yet have fewer than half as many adcoms. I am skeptical that all essays and LOR are read for most candidates even though they are also listed as Important.</p>
<p>Of course, if you live in California, Michigan, North Carolina or Virginia my comments do not apply (at least at the flagship).</p>