Four Criteria for College Admissions: Demystifying the Evaluation Process
Many of us are familiar with the standard elements of a college application—such as your academic background, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. While these are all important components of an applicant’s profile, you might still wonder: What do admissions committees really look for when evaluating a candidate? While each university has its own assessment process, there are core criteria that every reader focuses on. In this article, we’ll explore the four key elements admissions committees consider when reviewing a student’s profile: character, academics, extracurriculars, and how these factors work together to create an authentic and compelling application.
Character
When reviewing a student’s application, admissions committees seek to evaluate their character holistically. Every part of the application serves as an indicator of your character, with each section working together to create a comprehensive picture of who you are and what type of person you’re likely to be on campus.
When assessing a student’s character, admissions committees consider three key criteria: the student’s academic profile—including grades and GPA, standardized test scores, and course rigor—extracurricular involvements, and overall authenticity. We can envision this as an umbrella, with character serving as an overarching trait that admissions committees are evaluating. The panels beneath—academic profile, extracurriculars, and authenticity—work together to support and define that character, collectively forming a complete, holistically unified picture of the student.
Academics
Unlike systems in countries such as China and India, where academic profiles often dominate admissions decisions, U.S. schools adopt a more comprehensive approach to evaluating candidates. This broader perspective allows institutions to identify students who will not only succeed academically but also contribute meaningfully to their campus communities beyond the classroom.
That said, a student’s academic profile remains a significant factor in the evaluation process. One of the main questions admissions committees ask is: If we admit this student, will they thrive academically? Each college or university defines “thriving” differently, based on benchmarks that align with the demands of their curricula. For instance, Rutgers University, a top 50 ranked University, may define thriving as maintaining consistent grades throughout high school and achieving an ACT score of at least 30. In contrast, admissions committees at elite institutions like Harvard University seek students who will excel in a highly competitive academic environment, with a minimum ACT score of 34, along with a proven track record of successfully completing the most rigorous coursework available at their high schools.
It’s important to note that you don’t need a perfect score on your SAT or ACT to be admitted to your dream school—you just need to meet or exceed the school’s minimum threshold for how they define “thrive.” For example, while the middle 50% of ACT scores for admitted students at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences range between 30 and 34, a student aiming for admission to Rutgers only needs a minimum score of 30 to be competitive.
Ultimately, while academic performance is a critical piece of the admissions puzzle, it is considered within the context of each school’s particular expectations and alongside other factors. This holistic approach ensures that students are evaluated not just for their ability to excel in the classroom but for the broader contributions they can make to campus life. In other words, the academic profile is just a filter. It gets you into the conversation but it does not get you in the door by itself.
Extracurriculars
Admissions committees view extracurricular activities as more than just a list of traditional pursuits like high school clubs, sports, or volunteering. They aim to understand how students live their lives—their passions and depth of engagement. Counter to what many may expect, a mile-long resume often signals that a student is a jack of all trades but a master of none. Rather than focusing on the quantity of activities, committees value quality, immersion, and the meaningful contributions students make in their chosen endeavours.
Another myth worth debunking is that listing an activity with an impressive title or affiliation on your resume will automatically strengthen your application. However, admissions officers focus less on the type of activity and more on what the student has actually done with the opportunity. Ultimately, the way students convey the depth and quality of their experiences is through essays and interviews and through the questionnaires, a.k.a. “Brag sheets” that students complete for their guidance counselors and teachers who will use them to write their letters of recommendation. For example, a student may list an internship at a prestigious Alzheimer’s research lab, but if they don’t fully engage—by skipping readings or failing to make meaningful contributions—the experience holds little value. More importantly, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to convey the depth of the experience when writing essays, brag sheets or answering interview questions. When it comes to extracurriculars, it’s all about focusing on a few key activities and fully immersing yourself in them. By dedicating yourself to these experiences, you’ll gain valuable insights and accomplishments that you can confidently write and speak about when the time comes.
Finally, it’s important to remember that quality experiences can stem from everyday activities as a high school student. For example, imagine a student teaching themselves to juggle. They start with two balls, then—over several months—progress to three, four, five, six, even seven. This experience and the process the student went through could make for a compelling essay topic, prompting readers to think: If this is how the student approaches juggling, they’ll likely face other challenges with the same determination. When obstacles arise, they’ll find a way to succeed.
To summarize, an overly lengthy resume can raise red flags for admissions committees, suggesting a lack of focus or genuine investment. Instead, they look for students who demonstrate depth and commitment in a few key activities. This approach helps identify candidates who are likely to tackle future challenges with the same dedication and resourcefulness they’ve shown in their extracurricular pursuits. Ultimately, it’s not about how impressive an activity appears on paper, but what the student has learned and how they’ve grown from the experience.
Authenticity
The third criterion admissions committees evaluate is authenticity. To assess this, they examine a student’s choices both inside and outside the classroom, asking: Is this student demonstrating a genuine desire to maximize their potential? Authenticity—or the lack thereof—is woven throughout an application. For instance, consider a student who lists international studies as their intended major but has only completed two years of language classes in high school, even though four years were available. This discrepancy raises questions about the student’s genuine interest in their stated goals, as their academic profile fails to align with their aspirations.
Your ability to convey authenticity is closely tied to the quality and depth of your experiences. Admissions committees are looking for students who not only articulate their goals but also show repeatedly through their actions that they are committed to pursuing them. To demonstrate authenticity, it’s essential that your academic and extracurricular involvements reflect your true interests and ambitions. By focusing on what genuinely excites you and dedicating yourself to excelling in those areas, you can build a cohesive and compelling case for your acceptance.
Conclusion
While each admissions committee may weigh individual factors slightly differently, the core elements—character, academics, extracurriculars, and authenticity—remain central to their evaluation process. In short, admissions committees want to understand who you are from many different perspectives and how you will fit into their campus community (character). They will evaluate your academic and extracurricular potential and your genuine desire to maximize your potential (authenticity). By building a strong academic record, engaging deeply in a few meaningful extracurriculars, and specializing in what truly interests you, you’ll demonstrate your character, potential and authenticity throughout your application, presenting a strong case for your admission. As you complete your application, remember that it’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about revealing who you are and helping the readers envision how you will contribute to the vibrant community of your future college campus.
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