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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Tests are an important objective cutoff.

"GPA is useless" (per the UVA Admissions Dean).  There are so many kinds and standards for GPA so as to  make it no help.  What really does matter is doing better than your high school classmates in the hardest classes in high school, however your high school communicates that (sometimes counselor recs).

The  most selective schools are looking for some passion and commitment to some other thing; be it academics, sports, experience.  They love to see the deep dedication it takes to reach high levels in these endeavors.

Forget all the clubs and volunteer hours.  Most college bound students do tons of these things and they rarely stand out.  [/quote]

Agree that the most selective schools are looking for some passion or commitment. Clubs and volunteering are one way to demonstrate this passion, but they aren't enough. What makes the difference is whether the kid has risen to state or national level in these activities. So band or orchestra might make them yawn, but if your kid has one a state-level music competition they will sit up again.

The combination of *unweighted* GPA + SATs still serves as a cutoff at most colleges. Apparently weighted GPAs (e.g., an A in an AP class equals a 5) aren't used much. I don't know about UVA, but many colleges reweight applicants' GPAs using their own weighting systems. Also, the college's regional admin officers are familiar with the rigor at the different schools in the region, so this adds more info the GPA stat.

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