The Common Data Set: Bringing Transparency to College Admissions

One of the most common criticisms parents and students have about the college admissions process is its apparent lack of transparency. However, the Common Data Set (CDS), published by colleges and universities across the country and accessible through their websites, provides a wealth of valuable information about the previous year’s admissions cycle. This information includes (but is not limited to) the total number of applicants, the percentage of students accepted, and the amount of merit-based financial aid awarded.

Perhaps the most useful information can be found in Section C7, “Basis for Selection,” of a school’s Common Data Set. This section identifies the relative importance a college places on various components of a student’s application, categorizing each as Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered. Understanding these priorities can help students make more informed decisions when classifying a school as a reach, target, or safety.

Academic factors evaluated may include a student’s GPA, rigor of curriculum, class rank, standardized test scores, personal essay, and letters of recommendation. Nonacademic factors may include personal interviews, extracurricular activities, geographic residence, first-generation college student status, and demonstrated interest. The relative importance of these factors varies by institution, making the CDS a particularly useful resource when comparing prospective schools.

Regardless of where you are in the college admissions process, reviewing a prospective school’s Common Data Set should be an important part of your research. While the CDS may not answer every question an applicant has, it provides valuable insight into what colleges prioritize when evaluating applicants and goes a long way toward bringing greater transparency to an otherwise complex process.