You need to be above minimum academic criteria to be considered by the colleges. If your application falls below a certain level, your application won't be read at all.

• Weighted GPA

• Curriculum - AP, IB, Dual enrollment

• High School Class Rank, if applicable

• SAT/ACT/AP/IB test scores

• Weaker curriculum than the colleges base level

If an applicant's academic credentials fall below the college's minimum standards, their application may not be read at all, as admission officers typically have a large number of applications to review and prioritize their time accordingly. However, there are some exceptions to this rule: 

• Recruited Athletes

• Underrepresented Minorities

• Legacies

• Donors

Some colleges base their decision solely on the academic criteria (some state schools and less selective colleges e.g. Univ of Arizona), they may still read other pieces of application for selection into honors programs. These colleges mostly use the transcript and test scores to make a decision and do not consider essays, letter of recommendations etc.

Here are the factors admission officers may consider in addition to academic criteria:

• School profile

• Courses taken and resources utilized

• Percentage of students that go to 4-year degree from your school

• Race

• Underrepresented minorities may have an advantage

• Gender

• Girls in STEM programs may have an advantage

• Geography of the student

• Some schools may seek to admit a geographically diverse class

• Parent's education level

• First-generation college applicants may have an advantage

• Parent's profession

Once you have crossed minimum academic criteria for a college, you application if considered for further review. Here are top non-academic criteria's admission officers will consider.

Extracurricular Activities

• Extracurricular activities are anything meaningful that an applicant does outside of the classroom since beginning of 9th grade, including sports, volunteering, clubs, hobbies, family responsibilities, jobs, etc.

• Common app allows 10 activities. UCs allow 20. Some colleges allow 5. So make sure you list out the ones that are most meaningful for you. 

• Activities that show impact or leadership are the most important, and leadership can be in and out of school.

• Applicants should use nouns and verbs to show their impact and leadership, rather than passive adjectives.

• It's not necessary for all activities to be done for all 4 years, but sustained activities that are continued for all 4 years are impressive.

• Some things cannot be listed as activities, including summer assignments, test prep, travel for fun, family vacation, anything done before 9th grade, and any summer program that is paid and not selective.

• Applicants should write how many weeks per year they do each activity, and the more hours per week they dedicate to something, the more it shows their dedication.

Letters of Recommendations (LOR)

• Most colleges ask for a counselor letter of recommendation and one or two teacher letters.

• If a college only allows one letter, it's better if it comes from a teacher who knows the applicant well instead of a counselor who hasn't spent enough time with them.

• Applicants should ask a teacher from their junior year who has taught them an academic core subject (mostly higher level) to give them a LOR.

• Some colleges also allow additional LORs from mentors, advisors, etc., but they aren't as important as teacher and counselor LORs.

• Many state colleges may not allow or read any letters of recommendation.

Main Essay

• The main essay is something that is uniquely the applicant's own and can be an effective tool to move the admission officer in their favor.

• The essay should show a different facet of the applicant that has not been covered in any other part of their application.

• The essay should be personal to the applicant and something that only they can write.

• Admission officers look for one or more qualities in the essay, such as intellectual curiosity, drive, passion, self-awareness, growth, impact, etc.

• Applicants should not write or repeat any activities, sports injuries, big awards, untruths, anything that's not relevant anymore, anything negative like bad grades, or any kind of mental health struggles.

Supplemental Essays

• Most selective colleges have supplemental essays to get to know you better

• Do not repeat the same topic as the main essay in supplements

• Avoid repetition of topics when writing multiple essays for a single college

• Each part of your application should show a different side of you

• Common supplemental essay topics include:

  • Your favorite or most impactful activity

  • Your academic interest or why you picked this major

  • Why do you want to attend this college (why us) or how will you take advantage of opportunities at this college

  • Diversity or community you belong to.

Work experience

• Paid or volunteer work experience can demonstrate an applicant's responsibility, work ethic, and ability to balance work and school commitments.

Special talents or achievements

• Applicants with unique talents or accomplishments, such as artistic or athletic achievements, may be able to demonstrate their skills and potential to contribute to the college community.

Diversity

• Admission officers may seek to promote diversity on campus by considering an applicant's race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other demographic factors.

Personal background

• Personal background: Admission officers may consider an applicant's personal background, such as their family history or overcoming adversity, to gain insight into their character and resilience.

Demonstrated interest

• Demonstrated interest: Admission officers may consider an applicant's demonstrated interest in the college, such as campus visits, interviews, or other interactions with the college, to assess their level of enthusiasm for attending.

It's important to note that the weight given to these non-academic factors can vary greatly depending on the institution and the specific program or major being applied to. Applicants should research the specific admission policies and priorities of the colleges they are interested in and focus on highlighting their unique strengths.