Key Factors Colleges Consider When Making Admissions Decisions
In our latest blog post, independent college consultant JoAllan Gehde reveals how colleges evaluate applications and shares some surprising insights you might not expect! For our Central Park community, understanding these factors is crucial as students navigate their college journeys.
Most colleges use a holistic approach to evaluating applicants. This means that admissions officers assess a student’s overall potential by examining a wide range of factors, such as grades, courses, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, personal background, and character. The goal of holistic admissions is to understand the applicant as a whole person and determine how they would contribute to the campus community, both academically and socially.
1. GPA
Colleges evaluate a student’s overall academic performance and may recalculate GPAs using their own scales to fairly compare applicants from different schools, focusing on core subjects like English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. Some colleges exclude 9th grade, while others give more weight to advanced classes like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Dual/Concurrent Enrollment (CE). Admissions officers look for consistency in performance and/or an upward trend in grades. Additionally, class rank can play a role, with colleges considering how a student’s GPA compares to their peers in the same school.
2. Course Rigor
Colleges want to see that a student took the most challenging courses available at their high school. Taking advanced classes signals to colleges that the student is capable of handling challenging material and is motivated to push themselves academically. Additionally, if a student is interested in a particular area of study, taking courses in that subject area can strengthen their application and show focused academic interest.
3. Test Scores
While fewer than 10% of colleges require ACT or SAT scores, submitting them can still benefit some applicants. Research each school’s policy and the average test scores of admitted students. If your score falls within that range, including it could strengthen your application and improve chances for merit aid or scholarships. Additionally, strong IB and AP test scores could also be valuable to include in an application.
4. Activities and Extracurriculars
Colleges value the quality of a student’s involvement over the quantity of activities listed. They look for commitment, leadership, and impact. To stand out, students should demonstrate growth and self-development through their extracurriculars. These can include any pursuits outside the classroom, such as volunteering, sports, clubs, jobs, internships, family responsibilities, hobbies, or other involvement. Additionally, just as with course selection, it’s important for students to engage in activities that align with their academic interests or future college goals, showing a clear sense of direction and passion.
5. Essays
The 650-word personal statement is the primary essay submitted to all colleges. Students choose from a set of prompts and respond to one question. This essay provides a valuable opportunity for applicants to showcase their personality, character, and unique experiences—offering insights that grades, test scores, and other parts of the application may not fully reveal. Some colleges may also require or offer additional, shorter prompts that are more specific to their institution, giving students the chance to further highlight their fit and interest.
6. Letters of Recommendation
While requirements vary by school, most colleges ask for at least one teacher letter of recommendation. Some also require a letter from a counselor, and others allow additional recommenders, such as an employer, coach, or someone else who knows the student well and can offer a unique perspective. These letters provide colleges with deeper insights into the student’s character, work ethic, and potential to contribute meaningfully to the campus community.
7. Other Factors Some Colleges Consider
In addition to the main application components, some colleges consider factors like demonstrated interest, which reflects a student’s engagement with the school. Interviews can offer valuable personal insights, while portfolios may be required for students applying to specialized programs such as art, design, or architecture. Colleges may also consider legacy status, giving preference to applicants with family connections to the institution. Additionally, student-athletes, individuals with special talents, or those who bring unique skills or perspectives may be given special consideration as part of the holistic admissions process.
