<p>I think it’s more like the individual admissions officers who have their own preferences (or prejudices) rather than entire committees. Of course, admission officials are supposed to check all of their own likes and dislikes at the door when they evaluate a candidate, but that can be nearly impossible to do. </p>
<p>Many years ago, when I was writing Panicked Parents’ Guide to College Admissions, I asked some admission honchos about their own prejudices. Many inevitably gave me party-line answers, insisting their could put these entirely on the back burner while viewing candidates. I appreciated the fact that Lee Coffin (of Connecticut College then, now Dean at Tufts) was more forthcoming. He conceded that he had a soft spot for environmentalists and cellists and had a harder time warming up to equestrians. His views may have changed over the nearly two decades since I interviewed him, but I was grateful for his candor back then. Likewise, I’m sure that some admission staff members have their own take on the ACT vs. SAT, although I agree with Ctesiphon that their personal preferences in this area would definitely NOT be enough to sway an admissions verdict.</p>