High school grades and rigor of curriculum are universally considered the most important factors among colleges and universities in their evaluation of prospective applicants. Many of the qualities and characteristics valued in college applicants, however, differ among the colleges to which they are applying. Read on to learn about the factors most often considered in college admissions.
GPA: Colleges look at your cumulative GPA and note the presence of dips or upward trends. The method of reviewing GPA varies among colleges. Some will recalculate GPA using their own methodology to eliminate inconsistencies in grade weighting policies among high schools. Others will use the highest GPA presented on the transcript. Some colleges only evaluate grades in core courses.
Rigor of Coursework: Colleges like to see that applicants have pushed themselves and succeeded in higher-level coursework in at least some subjects. This means AP, IB, and/or Honors level classes, depending on what is available at your high school. Higher-level coursework is not just about the bump in your GPA, it demonstrates aptitude, readiness for next-level academics, and a willingness to put in hard work.
Success Within the Context of Your High School: Colleges receive a profile of your high school along with your transcript. Profiles frequently list the AP courses offered, any applicable enrollment restrictions for those courses, graduation requirements, the grade distribution for the most recent graduating class, grading policies, and college matriculation statistics among other information that helps them evaluate applicants within the context of what is available at their high school.
Test Scores: When required or submitted, colleges use test scores to evaluate aptitude and college preparedness. The degree to which colleges value the importance of test scores might be found in the college’s test submission policy language. Colleges that require or encourage test scores likely place a higher value on test scores within their review process.
Essays: Essays provide colleges a window into the applicant beyond the quantitative data provided in transcripts and test scores. Essays can provide insight into an applicant’s motivation, background, passions, challenges, personality, and values. Essays also demonstrate writing skills and, particularly in the case of supplemental essays, connection to a major and “fit” with the college or university.
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Personalized references that speak to the student’s academic success, work ethic, classroom engagement, personal characteristics and other qualities can be an important part of the application review. Sometimes teacher and/or counselor recommendations can provide context behind a student’s story that is not found elsewhere in the application.
Prospective Major: At some universities, the major you select can impact your admission decision. In some cases, there is limited capacity for enrollment in a particular major. Some schools review applicants specifically for the major identified on their application and for other schools, the prospective major has no bearing. Colleges often place more weight on math and science proficiency for engineering applicants for example. Although hard to predict, colleges sometimes need to balance departmental enrollment by increasing or decreasing matriculation. It is important to understand how or if the colleges you are considering factor major choice into the review process.
Relationship to Prospective Major: Connection to your prospective major can make a compelling case for admission. Students hoping to pursue nursing or engineering, for example, are expected to demonstrate a connection to the field through projects, service, shadowing/internships, or research. Students who demonstrate passion for their major in many other fields of study can become stronger applicants as a result.
Impact on Community and Potential to Enrich Campus: Colleges look for students who are engaged and will add value to campus life. The emphasis placed on these qualities varies considerably from school to school, however, it is always a factor for colleges who review applications holistically.
Leadership qualities
Talent brought to campus
Depth of impact/involvement in community
Intellectual curiosity demonstrated through engagement outside of school
Increased Diversity: Colleges often look to enroll a diverse population of students, considering the demographic and personal characteristics of applicants that might contribute to a unique and interesting student body. Sometimes enrollment initiatives to increase underrepresented groups can impact decisions.
Racial and ethnic diversity
Socioeconomic diversity
Geographic diversity within the US
International diversity
Demonstrated Interest and Predictability of Enrollment: Many colleges and universities factor the likelihood of enrollment into their review process. For schools that factor demonstrated interest into the review, applicants who engage through visits, registration based virtual experiences, interviews, or admission rep chats, etc. can gain an edge in the admission process.
Tuition Revenue Goals: Colleges often need to admit students who can pay the full price of tuition to offset aid expenses. In some cases, the ability to pay can be a slight advantage in the admission process.
Other Admission Factors: Many other factors can be considered when colleges are reviewing applicants and crafting a class of students. Some of these include:
Legacy
Athletic recruitment
Donor relationships
Faculty relationships
Existing relationships with feeder high schools
Local community recruitment