With all the talk about selective college admissions, what are the qualities that college admissions committees really see as important? Number one on the list is academics—specifically GPA, class rank, and test scores. They look for candidates with the best preparation, so rigor of curriculum is also seen as important. For most selective colleges, these academic qualities make up 75-80% of the decision to admit.
Since colleges seek to build a community, committees next look to extracurricular activities. Which activities you choose are less important than a history of involvement in school and community. That doesn’t mean joining lots of clubs; look to become a valued participating member of one or two that really interest you. Your letters of recommendation should speak to both your performance in the classroom and in the greater school community.
The ability of students to write effectively is also prized in the admissions decision. The emphasis colleges place on writing is the reason that the SAT added a writing section a few years ago. Work on improving your writing skills throughout your high school years. You’ll find that writing and reading are closely linked, so the more you read, the better you’ll beat recognizing good writing, and the better writer you’ll become.
Lastly come the intangibles – those qualities that are hard to measure, but which do play a part in the admissions decision. Factors such as talent (it seems nearly all colleges need oboe players), athletic ability, geographical considerations, the need for diversity, and a commitment to legacy applicants are all considered in the final decision. Since applicants can’t change their ethnicity or legacy status, concentrating on developing the finest possible academic record is the best way to assure admission to your first choice college.
