by David Colello

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: September 01, 2009

Every year, when the days get shortest and stress levels skyrocket amongst aspiring college students, groups of Admissions staff members sift through the thousands of applications. They look deep into the souls of each candidate, spend quality time getting to know them, and truly learn what makes them unique in this complex world in which we live. Alright, so perhaps it doesn't go quite like that, but it should.

There are certain standard benchmarks for success upon which college selection committees perennially base their decisions. Among these criteria are high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, entrance essays, and extracurricular activities. Each of these has earned its place among the best predictors of college success, although no single area is enough to ensure a quality student.

High School Transcripts

The difficulty level and grades of an applicant's high school courses display an ability to succeed regularly in an academic course load, which is an essential skill for any college student. From this information, selection committees can ascertain whether the student already has particular academic aptitudes. The types of electives taken can show if a student has attempted to get a head start on an already chosen academic path.

However, many variables come into play that make high school transcripts inadequate as the sole predictor of success. For instance, the secondary school system the applicant is from plays a large role in the types of courses available to them as well as the quality of teachers involved. This can effect a selection committee's decision either positively or negatively. If a student maintains a 3.0 GPA, but only takes basic courses, this will reflect poorly. If these are the only courses available in a school system riddled with violence and high teacher turnover, suddenly the GPA looks more substantial. Conversely, a student who pushes themselves by taking the most advanced courses and still gets a 4.0 GPA will stand out in any group of applicants.

SAT or ACT Scores

These tests are used as a shorthand measure of a student's IQ, and they are sometimes given significant weight in the decision process of selection committees. They do correspond somewhat well with students' success levels in college, but are subject to cultural bias and quality of available education in different areas of the country. For this reason, colleges are leaning away from placing so much emphasis on these narrow criteria and now look more broadly

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