Factors Influencing
Admission Decisions
Source: NACAC 1997 Admission Trends Survey Results (ACT)

Criteria                                                       Importance               
                                              Considerable       Moderate       Limited       None/NR     

Grades in College Prep Classes               81%           11%         3%        5%              
Admission Test Scores               50%           36%       10%        4%              
Grades in All Subjects               41%           41%       13%        5%              
Class Rank               34%           32%       24%      10%              
Counselor Recommendations               20%           47%       21%      12%              
Teacher Recommendations               19%           44%       25%      12%              
Essay or Writing Samples               18%           34%       27%      21%              
Interview               11%           29%       34%      26%              
Work/Extracurricular Experiences                6%           35%       44%      15%             
Personal Recognition Programs                2%           10%       42%      45%             
Ability to Pay                1%             8%       14%      77%             

Percentage of Students Who Expect and
Experience Specific Outcomes In College
Source: The American Twenty-Five Years, TRENDS

Expectations      Experiences
to be undecided                                                             7%                     20%  
to change majors                                                         12%                65-85%  
to fail a course                                                               2%                     16%  
to take extra time to complete a degree                         8%                     60%  
to drop out                                                                    1%                     40%  
to transfer colleges                                                         2%                     28%  
to work while in college                                                  6%                     60%  
to seek personal counseling                                            3%                     27%  
to need tutoring                                                           15%                     20%  
to seek career guidance                                                  5%                     25%