[IanW]

I went through college admission process last year, and it is truly a crapshoot.

While I wasn't a Dean's List Finalist, I can relate to the feeling of realizing that nothing correlates perfectly with admission success that you seem to be having. For me, it was academic success. And instead of Dean Kamen telling me how important it was at an event last year, it was (almost literally) every authority figure in my life for as long as I can remember. Even though I began to realize this before I applied to colleges, it was still disappointing when the realization was confirmed by admissions results.

Based on my observations of my peers' admissions success, the only thing that comes close to a "magic bullet" in college admissions is independent research.

In the end, where you go for undergrad (especially if you plan on going to graduate school) doesn't matter as much as the media makes it out. What you do while there is what makes the difference.

Oh, and if you want understandable, quantifiable college admissions, apply to Cal Poly.