If you read only one section of a college's Common Data Set, read Section C7. Here is why it is invaluable and how to use it.
What Section C7 Contains
Section C7 is titled 'Relative Importance of Academic and Nonacademic Factors in First-Year Admission.' It lists every factor that could potentially be considered in admissions and rates each one on a four-level scale: Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered. Factors listed include: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essay, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, first generation status, alumni/ae relation (legacy), geographic residence, racial/ethnic status, volunteer work, work experience, and level of applicant's interest (demonstrated interest).
How to Read It Strategically
Reading Section C7 for any school you are seriously considering tells you exactly where to focus your application energy. If a school rates essays 'Very Important,' invest significant time in crafting exceptional supplements for that school. If demonstrated interest is rated 'Very Important,' prioritize campus visits and documented engagement with that school. If test scores are rated 'Not Considered' — it's a test-blind school. If class rank is rated 'Not Considered' — don't worry about your rank at that school.
Why It's More Reliable Than Marketing
The Common Data Set is used by U.S. News and other ranking publications for data verification. Colleges are incentivized to be accurate in these reports because inconsistencies between their CDS data and rankings methodology can affect their rankings. Marketing materials may emphasize certain values for recruitment purposes; the CDS reflects what the institution actually measures.