Mission: Accepted! U.S. College Admissions Insights for International Students
More Than Just Numbers:
The Hidden Factors in College Admissions
March 12, 2025
Understanding what factors truly matter in college admissions can make all the difference. A NACAC study asked 185 colleges what they really look for when reviewing applications. Their answers reveal the key factors that can make or break admission decisions – valuable information for any high school student preparing their college applications.
Academic Performance Remains King
The data makes one thing abundantly clear: academic performance is still the cornerstone of college admissions.
93% of colleges place "considerable" or "moderate" significance on total high school grades (overall GPA)
92% attribute significant weight to grades (GPA) in college preparatory courses
87% emphasize the strength of the high school curriculum (also referred to as 'course rigor')
These numbers confirm what we have long advised: focusing on academics—particularly in challenging courses—should be any applicant's top priority.
Personal Qualities: The Game-Changer
While academics lead the pack, colleges are increasingly interested in who students are beyond their GPAs (also known as 'holistic admissions'):
65% of colleges place considerable or moderate importance on positive character attributes
56% significantly weigh essays or writing samples
Positive character attributes, such as leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, resilience, and community engagement, can distinguish candidates. You can demonstrate these traits in your extracurricular activities and essays. They provide admissions officers with insights into your values, communication skills, and personal growth—elements that transcripts and grades alone cannot convey. Authentically demonstrating these character attributes is particularly crucial when applying to highly selective institutions, where most applicants already meet or exceed the academic threshold.
The Middle Tier: Recommendations and Activities
Several factors fall into what might be considered a 'middle tier' of importance:
Letters of recommendation from counselors and teachers (51% considerable or moderate importance)
Extracurricular activities (51% considerable or moderate importance)
Demonstrated interest (43% considerable or moderate importance)
Work experience (33% considerable or moderate importance)
These elements, while not typically make-or-break factors, can significantly strengthen an application, particularly at more selective institutions.
A Mixed Bag: Standardized Tests
The data reveals that standardized testing remains a complex matter. Surprisingly, only 30% of colleges assign ACT or SAT scores "considerable" or "moderate" importance, while another 30% attribute "no importance" to the standardized test scores at all. This reflects the massive shift toward test-optional policies that occurred during the pandemic. Even today, over 2,100 colleges maintain test-optional policies and more than 80 institutions have become test-blind or test-free.
However, the landscape is changing once again. In 2024, several selective institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, announced a return to standardized testing requirements. We expect this trend to continue, with more competitive colleges likely reinstating testing requirements in coming admissions cycles.
What Matters Least
The following elements of college applications have the least influence in assessing applicants:
High school class rank (28% considerable or moderate importance)
Subject test scores like AP or IB exams (23% considerable or moderate importance)
Portfolios (16% considerable or moderate importance)
Interviews (13% considerable or moderate importance)
State graduation exam scores (8% considerable or moderate importance)
This does not mean these factors are irrelevant everywhere—specialized programs may still place significant emphasis on portfolios or interviews—but they are not universally valued.
Public vs. Private: Different Priorities
The report also indicates notable differences between how public and private institutions evaluate applications. Private colleges typically place more emphasis on character attributes, essays, interviews, recommendations, and demonstrated interest in the institution. Public universities may rely more heavily on quantifiable metrics like GPA and curriculum strength, reflecting their often larger applicant pools and different institutional missions.
What This Means for Applicants
For students preparing for the next admissions cycle, these findings suggest several strategic approaches:
Prioritize academic performance in challenging courses appropriate to your abilities
Don't panic about test scores, but submit them if you performed well
Develop and showcase positive character traits through your activities and essays
Cultivate strong relationships with teachers and counselors who can write meaningful recommendations
Engage authentically in activities that genuinely interest you rather than padding your resume
What You Can Control: Timing Matters
The timing of your college preparation journey significantly impacts which factors you can still influence. The data highlights a tremendous opportunity for students in 9th and 10th grades: you still have substantial control over the top factors colleges value most. You can select rigorous courses for your remaining high school years, focus on maintaining strong grades in college-prep classes, and build a challenging yet manageable curriculum.
While much of your academic record is already established for current juniors (11th grade), you can focus on factors where you still have significant influence. Cultivate meaningful relationships with teachers and counselors who can write compelling recommendations. Deepen your involvement in fewer, more meaningful extracurricular activities rather than adding new ones. Begin crafting essays that authentically demonstrate positive character attributes. For colleges that track demonstrated interest, engage with them through campus visits or online admissions events.
Conclusion
Perhaps the most important takeaway from this data is that most colleges assess their applicants holistically. While academics remain the gatekeepers, the increasing importance of character, personal qualities, and diverse experiences suggests that colleges are looking for well-rounded individuals who will contribute to campus communities in multiple ways.
Remember that these statistics represent averages across many institutions. Each college has its own unique priorities and evaluation methods. The most successful applicants aren't those who simply check boxes but those who identify institutions where their strengths align with what those specific colleges value.
Ultimately, the college application process is not just about getting in—it is about finding institutions where you will thrive.
Sources: National Association for College Admission Counseling, Fairtest
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