Profiles of Local Schools: Admissions Factors

We tried to pin down schools on this question: What is the relative strength of each component of a student’s application? How important are the SAT or ACT scores, compared to GPA, essays, or recommendations? What’s the primary consideration?

Towson University: Towson puts the greatest emphasis on a student’s GPA, followed by test scores. The essay, the letters of recommendation, and the activity sheet are not required, but recommended. For a student whose application is “borderline,” these optional documents can certainly help a student’s application.

Johns Hopkins University: Hopkins described its admissions review process as “holistic”: each component of a student’s application is weighed equally.

George Washington University: GW says that all admissions documents are equally important, because each reflects a difference aspect of a student’s performance.
University of Maryland: UMD uses a holistic review process, looking for students who both complement the existing student body and meet UMD’s mission objectives. Admissions considers students in the light of twenty-five different categories that are “applied flexibly”—the usual categories such as high school achievement and GPA, as well as more nebulous categories such as “breadth of life experience” and “demonstrated leadership.” (For a complete list of all twenty-five, see the website.) UMD’s website notes that the admissions essay is particularly significant, because it allows UMD to hear about you in your own words.

Georgetown University: Georgetown also uses a holistic review process, “with a focus on success in your high school curriculum.” Admissions refers to SAT and ACT scores as only “part of the Georgetown admissions process,” which we can assume constitutes a smaller part than the contents of your high school transcript.

University of Virginia: UVA stresses that it doesn’t set “minimums” either for SAT /ACT scores or for GPAs. Admissions recognizes that students are “more than the sum of two numbers.” It will also consider other factors, such as difficulty of course load or the changes in a student’s grades over time. UVA tries very hard, it seems, to look at each individual student as an individual, calling standardized testing “a useful but imprecise instrument—an axe, not a scalpel.”

Virginia Tech: Tech also refers to its admissions review as “holistic,” but does note that you must have a strong GPA (an A or B+ average, preferably) and “competitive” test scores to be considered. Admissions also cites “strength of schedule” as a third major factor. Other factors include: ethnicity, first-generation status, leadership and service, legacy, the major you expressed interest in, personal statements, residency, and participation in Tech pipeline programs.

James Madison University: JMU cites six factors that dictate its admissions review process: quality of high school academics, academic achievement, SAT/ACT scores, the secondary school report form, extracurricular activities, and the optional personal statement. JMU doesn’t claim to weigh any one factor more heavily than any other, and one can assume that these factors are applied flexibly, depending on the individual.

George Mason University: GMU also considers six factors: GPA, difficulty of coursework, ACT/SAT scores, the personal statement, the secondary school report, and the TOEFL (if applicable). GMU also doesn’t indicate which factors are primary, so one can assume all are applied flexibly, depending on the individual. We were also told: “Each portion of the application serves to provide a greater picture of the whole student and is therefore valuable in the application process. In regards to grades, we would rather see a student excelling in an average course than failing a higher level course. For extracurricular activities, we don't necessarily look for students with the most activities but those who have shown the most commitment to activities. The personal essay allows the student the opportunity to communicate what his or her transcript may not.”

The bottom line: Figure out what your strengths are, and highlight them in your application. Make sure schools know about all the great things about you and your last four years. Consider “optional” personal statements required. Admissions people are looking for good students who would contribute positively to their community; make it as easy as possible for them to see your goodness and uniqueness. Also, keep in mind that we offer an essay-revision service. Call us if you have questions.