[ghaff]

High school grades/class rank. And then (at least this is how MIT used to do it although I'm sure most schools have some variant of the process) you have all the qualitative stuff on the other axis: letters of recommendation, interview, high school activities, sports, other types of projects, etc.

I expect very few schools just mechanically admit based on SATs.

[Filligree]

Sports? What does sports have to do with schooling?

[HDThoreaun]

The goal of elite university admissions is not to maximize academic success, it's to maximize career success and prestige. Organized athletics at the highest level require high levels of teamwork and grit which translate very well to the work force. Grit and teamwork might actually be the most important attributes for having a successful career so it really surprise me when people dont understand why athletes get some preference in admissions.

[ghaff]

(Even leaving aside schools that are admitting athletes for their sports programs) they require hard work, dedication, teamwork, etc.

[SJC_Hacker]

Aside from scholarships for sufficiently talented, it certain places it sometimes viewed as demonstrating leadership and/or social skills. Especially if you have some type of leadership role (captain, etc.). And especially military academies.

[sn9]

Sports are a means of attracting alumni dollars and/or accepting otherwise mediocre students who couldn't get in on merit, but have wealthy parents.

[tekla]

A liberal education involves physical health