1. Approximate H.S./College GPA
2. Rigor/strength of academic curriculum
3. Letters of recommendation
4. Community service/extracurricular activities
5. Interview/Application letter

Diversity considerations
Proposed college major
Other schools to which student has applied

http://www.supercollege.com/
4 Steps To Writing A Winning Essay
    #1. Brainstorm ideas
    #2. Narrow list of possible topics
    #3. Razzle And Dazzle! Answer The Question Uniquely.
    #4. Write For Perfection: Rewrite, Edit, Rewrite, And Edit Again, With Help From Editors.
            objectives are:
                        1.to reveal something about you; and
                        2.to razzle and dazzle the admissions officers.

Example of humorous college essay - http://reality.sgi.com/relph/humor/essay.html

Select Colleges The Neapolitan Way
    The schools that you are sure you can get into but that you don't have a strong desire to attend are
the strawberry flavor. The schools that are selective but which you still have a good shot at and wouldn't mind attending are the vanilla ice cream. And the highly selective schools and the ones you really, really want to attend are the chocolate.

Other tips - the first thing you should do is make five photocopies of each application form original.

Online educational consultant specializing in college admission and planning http://www.capecod.net/cna/

From a Quick Course in College Admission by the National Association for College Admission Counseling
http://www.nacac.com/cc/slide1.htm

The top 5 factors influencing admission decisions (in order of importance):
                    grades in college prep courses,
                    admission test scores,
                    grades in all subjects,
                    class rank,
                    counselor recommendation. - NACAC 9th Annual Admission Trends Survey

Going to College - Important College News for Parents and Students - advice for Grades 9 - 12
http://www.winningway.com/parentsandstudents.html

College Center - http://www.collegecenter.com/first.htm
mission is to provide advice to students and parents about selecting appropriate
colleges and universities, financing college costs, and choosing the school that is most
suitable to the student's academic and career interests and family finances.