Why in the world do U.S. colleges rely on holistic admissions?
Like how America uses the imperial system of measurement while the rest of the world implements the metric system, the U.S. college admissions process is a little unique compared to, say, applying to college in England or China.
In China, the Gaokao is king. In the U.S., scores such as the ACT, SAT, subject tests, AP, IB, and others matter, but they are just one piece of the larger puzzle.
U.S. colleges also look closely at:
Transcripts
Recommendation letters
Personal essays
Activity lists (or resumes)
Of course, the holistic admissions process is definitely imperfect. It can be complicated, unsystematized, and, unfortunately, biased.
But because the demand for education at top American universities has skyrocketed, with the acceptance rate of schools like Harvard and Stanford falling below 6%, holistic evaluation is necessary for colleges to discern between thousands of applicants who earned perfect test scores and straight As.
Moreover, colleges are not only interested in admitting excellent students but in developing future global leaders.
Holistic admissions serves as a way to spot pizzazz, or an X factor that reveals an applicant’s potential to make positive change in the world.
So what does that mean for me?
John F. Kennedy may have put it best when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”
As much as your college education is an investment in yourself, admissions committees see accepting a student as an investment in the reputation and integrity of their institution.
Keep this question in mind as you navigate the application process: What unique qualities would you offer a college campus?
There are a lot of ways to go about answering this question in your application.
Recommendation letters, for example, can point out how you are the cream of the crop among your peers. Through describing your extracurriculars, activity lists or resumes can implicitly highlight your ingenuity or leadership. Supplemental essays are also a great chance to talk about how you hope to impact society.
Wait a minute. How much then do test scores and grades matter?
They still matter a lot, because they speak into your academic ability in relation to your peers.
Colleges want to know that you would thrive as a student on their campus, able to keep up with your classmates and contribute meaningfully to course discussions. Test scores and grades serve as a proxy to measure this.
Take a look at the middle 50% of SAT or ACT scores at your colleges of interest to find out your target score.
How do I put my best foot forward?
Keep in mind that the holistic admissions process can work in your favor, because it considers a student’s background, character, motivations, aspirations, and character.
A poor grade can be forgiven if properly addressed; a compelling story can add another dimension of depth to your activities and grades.
If you plan your application strategy in advance and use your time wisely, you can optimize your chances of success!
Contact us to inquire about our tailored college admissions counseling programs, if you are seeking a guide in the application process.