How much do low GPA + rank vs high SATs matter

Sikorsky
Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:57:26 +0000

I am afraid I agree with Erin’s Dad about this.

I’d add that while a holistic approach to admissions may mean that a college uses more than just numbers to assemble its entering class, selective colleges still recognize that their task is to assemble an entering class of college students. Because they’re trying to admit students who also sing or debate or play squash–and not singers or debaters or squash players who also study on the side–academics are going to be more important than extracurricular accomplishments just about everywhere, just about every time. (True, this rule may not apply to the most promising high-school running back in the state of Texas, but that doesn’t seem to be the kind of amazing extracurricular activity you’re talking about.)