"When applying to college, many students think they know which strategies will help them attract the attention of admissions officers. But there’s often a gap between perception and reality about what actually matters – and what matters most – when it comes to grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and other factors.
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In fact, the reality can differ from school to school.
Many colleges report that they are now taking a multifaceted approach to reviewing applicants, factoring in grades and scores on the SAT or ACT, but also aiming ‘to evaluate them beyond what is seen on a transcript,’ says Joe Shields, an admissions counselor at Goucher College in Maryland. ‘A holistic admissions review process allows a student to demonstrate their best qualities and discuss how they would be a good fit for that college.’" …
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-09-11/6-common-college-admissions-myths