esearch indicates most schools place more emphasis on the transcript than any other admission criterion.

Admission Decisions

How does the Admission Committee Make a decision?

Although selection criteria vary from school to school, some elements remain constant. Most colleges consider, to varying degrees, all of the following:

• High school transcript
• Test scores (ACT and/or SAT)
• Admission application essays
• Interview with an admission officer
• Extracurricular and personal activities
• Teacher/counselor/alumni recommendations

Research indicates most schools place more emphasis on the transcript than any other admission criterion. Lets take a closer look at the high school transcript.

1. CLASSES
As a general rule, a solid college prep schedule consists of at least the following:

English: 4 years
Mathematics: 3 years
Foreign language: 2-3 years
Science: 3 years (2 lab sciences)
Social studies: 3 years

2. TRENDS
Because students develop study skills and mature at different rates, many transcripts reflect grade trends. A grade trend is an improvement or decline in the types and rigor of the courses taken or on the grades received over time. If you're not a top student admission committees like upward trends. This means that the junior year and first semester of the senior year are particularly influential in establishing your chances of admission.

3. SENIOR SCHEDULE
Your senior year is the last time you will be in a formal classroom situation prior to college. Use this time wisely! Admission committees view the senior schedule and grades as evidence of perseverance and intellectual interest -- a necessity for college work. Don't take your senior year off academically.

4. HONORS AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CLASSES
Take risks within reason, of course. Most colleges prefer to see honors and advanced classes, even if sometimes they come at the expense of slightly lower grades. Risk-taking suggests intellectually curiosity. In addition, advanced placement tests may be used for college credit or college placement.

5. CLASS RANK/GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
Class rank offers admission committees a standard to compare one member of the class to another, although the calculation of this figure is not necessarily consistent among different schools.

The grade point average differs from the class rank in that the former does not address the student's standing relative to his/her classmates, nor does it reflect differing grading scales or the inflation of the average due to non-academic courses.

6. THE HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE
Admission offices usually have extensive high school files which are used to establish the background of each applicant and his or her school. For example, the percentage of students going on to college is a good indicator of the level of competition a student has faced in the classroom. The bottom line: Have you taken advantage of the opportunities available to you?

7. CLASSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
There are as many different policies for college credit as there are colleges. Any advanced education is commendable, but credit transfer may not be automatic. For your benefit, contact the colleges to which you are applying when the time comes.

8. NON-ACADEMIC ELECTIVES
Skill-related electives are the spice of any high school curriculum and add personal breadth. However, like any good spice, they should not overwhelm the main course, particularly at the expense of good college prep classes.

9. A WORD ABOUT TEST SCORES
While test scores may or may not be the deciding admission factor, they are the only common denominator shared by students nationally. Solid high school coursework should be sufficient preparation for either the SAT or the ACT. You will want to double check with each college regarding their policies on the new SAT and optional ACT writing section, so you can ensure you have all the necessary standardized test requirements completed before you apply.  When you do take the tests, relax and do your best.  Retaking the tests is common, so if you don't do particularly well the first time, try again.