<p>to colleges? (esp. top colleges)</p>
<li><p>critical thinking abilities</p></li>
<li><p>creative thinking abilities</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don’t think this a question that can be answered.</p>
<p>I don’t think either of them is “more” important, simply because it’s impossible to measure the critical thinking or creative thinking abilities of a candidate. Sure, having an above average level of either can show in one’s extracurriculars, but who is to say that a college would prefer A. Somebody who writes a published literary analysis, or B. Somebody who writes a best seller fiction novel?</p>
<p>Both are important, in my opinion, but I don’t think colleges ever actually value one over the other - and in most cases, at least in top colleges - it’s what you do with your abilities, not whether or not you have them.</p>