16 Factors in College Admission Decisions

 
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The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) survey, conducted in fall 2023, examines 16 factors influencing college admission decisions, including academic coursework and grades, test scores, application essays, recommendation letters, and students’ “demonstrated interest” in attending the college or university. This comprehensive review provides insight into what colleges prioritize in applicants and offers valuable guidance for high school students and their parents. 

A total of 185 four-year institutions of higher learning responded to the survey, and respondents were asked to indicate the level of importance for each factor as follows:

  • Considerable Importance

  • Moderate Importance

  • Limited Importance

  • No Importance

The 16 factors are listed below in the order of percentage of colleges attributing either “Considerable Importance” or “Moderate Importance” in descending order. Combining the percentage of colleges attributing either “Considerable Importance” or “Moderate Importance” to these factors provides a more nuanced view of what colleges really look for in college applications:

1. Grades in All Courses

  • Considerable Importance: 74.1%

  • Moderate Importance: 18.9%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 93.0%

Grades provide a baseline indicator of academic achievement and diligence, making them a crucial element in applications. Consistent high performance across all subjects demonstrates a strong work ethic and ability to handle college-level work.

2. Grades in College Prep Courses

  • Considerable Importance: 76.8%

  • Moderate Importance: 15.1%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 91.9%

Colleges place extra value on grades in advanced classes, such as honors or AP courses. These grades indicate a readiness for challenging material and an ability to succeed in demanding courses, a critical factor in admissions. Students looking to boost their GPA in college prep courses should consider enrolling in UC-approved honors and AP courses at Elite Open School.

3. Strength of Curriculum

  • Considerable Importance: 63.8%

  • Moderate Importance: 22.7%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 86.5%

Admissions officers assess the rigor of a student’s curriculum to gauge academic ambition. A strong curriculum with advanced courses signals a willingness to challenge oneself academically, reflecting well on the student’s college preparedness. Colleges assess the strength of a student’s curriculum in the context of the courses available, but students who want to take additional honors and AP courses to strengthen their academic profile while exploring or deepening their interest in a particular subject can do so by enrolling in UC-approved honors and AP courses at Elite Open School.

4. Positive Character Attributes

  • Considerable Importance: 28.3%

  • Moderate Importance: 37.5%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 65.8%

Attributes like resilience, empathy, and integrity are valued by colleges. Through essays, interviews, and recommendations (which are other factors in the admission decision), admissions officers assess these traits to predict how students might contribute to and thrive in their community.

5. Essays or Writing Samples

  • Considerable Importance: 18.9%

  • Moderate Importance: 37.3%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 56.2%

Essays allow students to showcase their individuality, writing skills, and critical thinking. A compelling essay can differentiate an applicant by conveying unique life experiences, values, or insights.

6. Counselor Recommendation

  • Considerable Importance: 11.9%

  • Moderate Importance: 40.0%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 51.9%

Counselors provide an overview of the student’s academic journey and personal growth, offering context on achievements and potential. Strong recommendations affirm the student’s readiness for college. Counselors also provide colleges with information about the courses and grading system offered at their high schools and provide context for how a particular student ranks when compared to other students from the same high school.

7. Teacher Recommendation

  • Considerable Importance: 10.8%

  • Moderate Importance: 40.5%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 51.3%

Teachers can attest to a student’s strengths in specific academic subjects. A recommendation from a teacher can also highlight qualities like perseverance, curiosity, and engagement, which are essential to college success. Colleges want to understand how a student is in the classroom environment–for example, does the student participate in classroom discussion, respond well to challenges, lead class projects, or help other students in the class? As a result, students should select teachers who know them well and can speak about the positive impact and contributions they have made in the classroom. Keep in mind that developing relationships with teachers takes time and effort, and students should approach their classes with curiosity and interest.

8. Extracurricular Activities

  • Considerable Importance: 6.5%

  • Moderate Importance: 44.3%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 50.8%

Extracurriculars reflect a student’s passions, leadership skills, and ability to contribute to campus life both in high school and in college. Colleges seek students who not only demonstrate commitment and growth through sports, arts, clubs, or volunteer work but also intend to continue their involvement in these activities in college.

9. Student’s Demonstrated Interest

  • Considerable Importance: 15.7%

  • Moderate Importance: 27.6%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 43.3%

Many colleges track demonstrated interest through campus visits, contact with admissions officers, or engagement with virtual events. Some colleges even track if a student opens email messages from the college and how much time a student spends on the college website These efforts made by students to engage with the college proactively are a factor in the admission decision because they show the student is genuinely interested and committed to attending. Also, applying under a binding early decision process is one of the most effective ways to convey a student’s commitment to attending a college, and many colleges respond positively by admitting students who apply early decision at a higher rate than those who apply under regular decision.

10. Work Experience

  • Considerable Importance: 2.2%

  • Moderate Importance: 30.8%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 33.0%

Work experience can demonstrate responsibility, time management, and other professional skills. For students balancing work with school, it signals maturity and resilience, both attractive traits in college candidates.

11. Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT)

  • Considerable Importance: 4.9

  • Moderate Importance: 25.4

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 30.3

While many institutions are test-optional, strong SAT or ACT scores can still enhance an application, especially in competitive contexts or scholarship considerations. High scores demonstrate aptitude in core subjects like math and reading. Elite Prep advises students to take a practice test to gauge if they will be able to achieve a score that is within the range of applicants accepted to the colleges and universities they are interested in applying to and spend time in the months leading up to the target test date to prepare. Many students take the SAT or ACT in the fall or spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year of high school, if necessary.

12. Class Rank

  • Considerable Importance: 5.5%

  • Moderate Importance: 22.4%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 27.9%

Class rank provides a measure of a student’s academic standing in relation to their peers. A high rank signals strong academic performance in a competitive environment, though not all schools report this data.

13. Subject Test Scores (e.g., AP, IB exams)

  • Considerable Importance: 1.1%

  • Moderate Importance: 22.2%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 23.3%

Colleges may not put “Considerable Importance” on AP and IB exam scores because they recognize that not all students have access to these advanced-level courses or the ability to pay for the exam fees. Nevertheless, high scores on subject tests can validate a student’s academic expertise and commitment to advanced study in specific areas, particularly for students applying to specialized or competitive programs. 

14. Portfolio

  • Considerable Importance: 4.9%

  • Moderate Importance: 10.8%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 15.7%

For students applying to visual and performing arts programs, a portfolio demonstrates creativity, technical skill, and artistic expression. A well-curated portfolio can set an applicant apart by showcasing their unique talents. Many colleges and universities also accept optional portfolios from students who are NOT applying to a program requiring a portfolio, and students who submit a portfolio can stand out from the crowd by showcasing their talents and skills.

15. Interview

  • Considerable Importance: 4.3%

  • Moderate Importance: 8.6%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 12.9%

Interviews allow admissions officers to assess an applicant’s interpersonal skills, maturity, and alignment with the college’s culture. A successful interview often enhances a student’s profile by offering a more personal connection. Many colleges offer the opportunity for students to interview with college admission officers or alumni (individuals who graduated from the college and now volunteer their time to help their alma mater speak with applicants), and while interviews are generally not required, students are advised to take advantage of the opportunity to make a good impression and discuss their interests and how they will contribute to the college community through the college interview.

16. State Graduation Exam Scores

  • Considerable Importance: 1.6%

  • Moderate Importance: 6.5%

  • Considerable and Moderate Importance (combined): 8.1%

Some colleges consider results from applicants’ state graduation exams as a part of the admission decision process. However, since state graduation exam scores tend to reflect mastery of high school subjects rather than readiness for college-level studies, these scores are not widely used by most colleges.

Final Thoughts

Colleges consider a wide range of factors when deciding whether or not to admit prospective students; however, colleges do not all consider the same factors during the application review process.

  • At very large public universities, some admission decisions may be made solely based on quantitative measures, like grades, the number of honors and AP courses taken, and test scores.

  • Highly selective public and private universities (like the Ivy League universities and most of the University of California campuses) admit a low percentage of applicants and receive tens of thousands of applications from students who are strong academically. These colleges look to qualitative factors, such as counselor and teacher recommendation letters, personal statements, and extracurricular activities, to assess how an applicant will fit in with and contribute to the campus community.

  • Smaller liberal arts colleges, where the entire student body is less than 3,000 students, similarly look to these qualitative factors as they build their class of students interested in attending a college with a close-knit community. Furthermore, these colleges may put more weight on an applicant’s interest in attending their institution as demonstrated by their proactive engagement with the outreach efforts made by the college admission office.

The 2023 NACAC survey provides a holistic view of college admissions, covering academic, personal, and extracurricular qualities. By addressing these factors strategically, students can enhance their applications and increase their chances of admission. Understanding these criteria empowers students to present a well-rounded application that reflects their potential and readiness for college life. 

For more information on these factors, visit theNACAC website.

Elite Prep has helped thousands of high school seniors apply to the University of California and other selective colleges and universities. 

Contact an Elite Prep branch office to speak with one of our experienced counselors about how we can help you get into your dream school.

 
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