<p>Even if you dislike the American university system, it’s indubitable fact that we have the most highly regarded tertiary institutions in the world, even according to studies conducted by other countries. Obviously, our colleges have been doing something right this past century.</p>
<p>ECs are heavily weighted because they can demonstrate impetus, determination, or talents that can’t be quantified in a standardized test. </p>
<p>GPA is not always a reliable indicator of academic merit, mostly because of private schools and the wide discrepancy between public schools. Anything lower than a 4.0 will hurt your chances of admission to a top college, however.</p>
<p>You think our standardized test are unfair? In China and Australia, you only get ONE chance to take your college entrance examination. I think that I’d much rather choose the American system.</p>