how much do letters of recommendation influence admissions into a college?
466101
Everything the application asks for is important. They all usually have equal weighting, because they are looking for well-rounded individuals. For example, if they have only 1 spot left and must choose between someone with a 4.0 GPA and no extracurriculars, or someone with a 3.5 GPA but is a club officer and does volunteer work, they will probably go with the latter.
239975
I would say that "welcomingness" is more a product of size than selectivity.  At a small liberal arts college you'll have more individual contact with your professors that at an ivy league school or similar university, but you'd have even less at a big state school.  I go to a small liberal arts school, and I can tell you that I've only been there a semester and a half and I think at least eleven professors know my name (my mom says she graduated from a state school without a single prof knowing her name) and in the big required freshman intro class that everyone takes after every paper we turn in we meet one-on-one with our prof to discuss the paper.  From what I've heard, I think that at bigger schools (ivies and similar) you can certainly get to know your professors if you try, but you have to go out of your way to make that happen.  \n\nAnother thing to think about is emphasis on teaching vs. research.  My school is very focused on teaching, and pretty much all our profs like to teach and want to get to know us.  And we don't have a graduate school, so we're not competing with grad students for our professors' time (the grad students tend to win).  There certainly is plenty of research and such that goes on, but I haven't encountered any profs who are more concerned about their research than their classes.
1138932
Like all the good colleges, a high GPA, high SAT, well-written essay, sufficient extra-curricular activities/competitions, honest and positive recommendation letters etc. are recommended. None of the good colleges have a firm limit "If you don't have a 3.0 you won't get in" or "If you have a 4.0 you're guaranteed." They look at everything and see if there's a pattern of a good student behind it. If they can figure out who you are through the application and determine that you as a person are worthwhile then you'll probably get in.\n\nSo for example, BS'ing your essay is going to hurt more than missing a 4.0 because of just one B. Joining no extracurriculars is going to hurt you more than getting a slightly low score on your first SAT. And a lot of times its your fit with your college, how much room they have, and if they already have or badly need someone like you.\n\nTuition is nominally almost $50k a year, but like all the good colleges, admissions is entirely merit-based and financial-need-blind, and financial aid is entirely need-based and merit-blind. So if you're not able to pay all $50k a year (like most people), you won't, and it won't hurt your chances.
744672
They usually do count. When you apply for colleges, they look at your transcripts which has every single class and grade listed. Good Luck!!
1171633
Volunteering is an EXCELLENT thing to have on college applications.  Not only does it count as an 'extracurricular' activity, but many community organizations offer scholarships and often, if you are committed and do well, leaders from the organization will write you letters of recommendation.  So yeah, get involved! \n\nDo you want to learn a new language or play an instrument?  Or are sports more your thing?  You could be on student council, do yearbook or newspaper, or start a club.  Those are all great on applications and show that you're a well-rounded individual, but do something that you really enjoy, and if you have to create an opportunity for yourself (such as start your own club), that's even better.  It should be fun, too!  If you're not committed and don't enjoy it (i.e. you're only doing it 'cause it looks good on paper), it won't be a positive experience anyway.  \n\nGood luck!
193771
it depends on what school you want to go to.
379150
College choices depend on what your intended major is.  Some schools are better known for specific programs.
1119317
really not much.  Just prepare well for the SAT, and as long as your GPA is decent you will have plenty of colleges that will accept you.
820358
The types that grades that you need is different for every university or college that you apply.  \n\nCollege admissions offices look at the whole individual when students apply.  The things that they look at are GPA, type of classes that you take (AP, College Prep, etc), test scores, personal statement, recommendations and interviews.  Therefore, if you don't have the best grades, but you are very involved and have an incredible essay and recommendations, you can get into a university.  \n\nThe better question to ask is what is the college or universities acceptance rate is... acceptance rate is the percent of students that are accepted to the university out of the total number of students that apply.  If you want to find this answer very quick, you can visit the following website:\nhttp://www.collegeboard.com\n\nJust search the schools that you are interested in, and you'll find the acceptance rate and much more information about the university.  \n\nAlso, if you're very curious, call the admission office at the universities or colleges that you are interested in.  Tell them information about yourself (gpa, test scores, etc), and they'll be able to give you a good idea of whether you would be accepted to the school or not.  They will not give you a definite answer, but they will be able to give you a good idea.\n\nI hope this helps... good luck!
645333
It was my experience that colleges were more interested in your score on the AP itself than in the class. My college required a 4 on the AP to place out of the course, or a 3 to count the AP as an elective.\n\nA few isolated C's won't bother most universities, as long as they don't indicate a pattern of struggling in a particular subject, or a downward spiral.\n\nColleges do take into account the difficulty level of a class when looking at your grades. I generally had low grades in honors math courses, but I had no trouble getting into (and making it through) a good engineering school. \n\nIf they ask about the low grade, be ready to explain why the grade was low, and what you intend to do in the future to improve your performance. Being able to do that might impress them more than an A would.
301233
College entrance requirments vary.  Decide which college(s) you are most intereste din, and contact their admissions department.
467344
I really have never heard of this affecting college applications. It is always the SATs and GPA scores, so I really do not know. If changing schools became a habit, it might be a problem. Maybe you could discuss it with the school before you make the transfer.\n\nI am wondering from your question though, will changing schools solve the problem? I'm really sorry to hear that your child is having problems. No parent ever wants to see their child in pain.
470984
Importance of Recommendations depends on three factors:\n\n1.The program for which you are applying.\n2.Your aim for applying.\n3.The university you are considering for application.\n\nIf you are having research experience and are applying for a research program or a Research Assistantships than recommendations play an important part.\nSimilarly for Teaching Assistantships.\n\nIf you are considering a top ranked program then also recommendations play an important part. \n\nCorollary of this is your  recommendor's credentials should be impeccable.The recommendations should site some   specific experiences and should not be generic in nature.\n\nAccording to a recent Survey following factors play an important part in an application mix.\n1.Academics\n2.Standardized Test Scores\n3.Recommendations\n4.Essay\n\nAll are important ingredients of the application mix.\n\nI have not mentioned TOEFL because it has a different role to play. For\nadmission if you have a decent TOEFL score it is sufficient.Every university\nor even a program specifies a minimum TOEFL score. If you meet it along with\ngood credentials it is enough.\nHowever it does not imply that if one has  a high TOEFL score it does not\nhave a positive affect on ones application.\nAmong the other credentials the importance of each depends  on the rank of\nthe university you are applying. For Top Universities Academics is more\nimportant and second weightage is given to GRE.As we go down the ranks\nimportance of academics goes on shrinking and GRE starts playing more\nimportant role. This is for a normal student.\nBy my saying this I am not decrying the role of other items in the\napplication  mix i.e. Recos and Essay.\nSufficient it to say that the importance of each item depends on each\nindividuals circumstances.\n\nIf you have a low GRE score it is important that you have good academics.To\nsome extent the negative impact of low GRE score can be balanced by a high\nacademic score.\nThe importance of high academics can be realized when you note that while\nyou can dispense  with low GRE score by taking the test again you cannot\novercome with low academics.\n\nSimilarly if you have low academic score you can be excused to some extent \nfor this by scoring high in GRE. Along with this you should be able to\npresent your case well in your SOP and your Recos should also support your case.\n\nThus you will see from the above that\n\nThe active ingredient in the application mix are\n1. GPA\n2.GRE / GMAT/ SAT\n\nThe supporting ingredients are\n3.RECOS\n4.SOP\n\nThe dormant ingredient is\n5. TOEFL.\nTOEFL comes to play when there is a tie.\n\nIn the case of Business Studies experience is another important aspect. More of it later.\nThe importance of each lies with your circumstances and your choice of a program.\n\nYou can find more details at \nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADMISSIONSOURCE/\n\nGood Luck\nNBS
814422
It really depends on the schools you apply to, and the major you intend to declare. If you didn't do so well on the math section but want to major in History or something, I think most colleges would look past it if you have everything else that they're looking for
382609
The one thing they look closely at is your academic achievements. If your grade aren't so good, then they will figure that your chance of doing well aren't so good either, and you will wind up with a rejection slip.The ACT, or SAT score will be the the other deciding factor, if you get into a certain college. Even the state universities, which use to accept all state resident, even those with poor academic preparation for college, are not raising the standards for admission, and also the standards for staying in.
939461
It really depends on what school you want to go to and where. The best school in my state is selective and accepts those only with a 3.5 or higher. You will have to look at each individual school and see what their standards are. Applying never hurts!
1126554
No, your school will keep a transcript of your final grade for everyclass you take.  That's what colleges will look at.  And as for getting into college, it depends which one you want to go to as to how hard it is.  Some other pretty easy, others you have to be really good to think about getting in.