When it comes to college admissions, a phrase that pops up often is “holistic admissions.” In a recent episode of our podcast, College Planning Simplified, one of my colleagues said “holistic” wasn’t in her regular vocabulary before entering the world of college admissions. Now, she uses it nearly every day. But if you aren’t a college consultant, admissions rep, or school counselor, you may not be familiar with the concept of “holistic admissions.” What exactly does it mean? How does it impact a student’s college application?
In this blog post, we'll explore how holistic admissions works, look at the factors considered during the admission review process, and provide tips for how students can maximize their application for colleges that practice holistic admissions.
WHAT IS HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS?
Holistic admissions is an approach many colleges and universities use to evaluate applicants beyond the numbers (academic achievements and test scores). Instead of reviewing applications solely focusing on GPA and an SAT or ACT score, holistic admissions takes a comprehensive look at the applicant's overall self. Their holistic self. Using holistic admissions, a college can consider various factors that demonstrate a student’s potential for success at their institution.
WHAT DO COLLEGES REVIEW IN HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS?
In holistic admissions, colleges assess applications based on a range of factors, including:
Academics: While holistic admissions considers more than grades, a student’s academic performance still remains an essential factor in their application. Admissions offices will review the rigor of the applicant's high school curriculum, class rank (if reported), and trends in grades over time. Holistic admissions doesn’t give students an excuse to take it easy in the classroom.
Extracurricular Involvement: Colleges value students who will positively contribute to their college community and the greater community. One way to gauge a student’s out-of-the-classroom potential in colleges is to see how that student spends their free time in high school. Extracurricular involvement is an opportunity for students to show colleges who they are, what matters to them, and how they choose to spend their time.
Essays: Holistic admissions places significant weight on the applicant's essays. The personal statement and college-specific supplemental essays allow students to share their unique stories and provide context to the rest of their applications. Essays let admissions offices understand the applicant's character, motivations, and perspectives.
Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other important mentors in a student’s life provide valuable insight into that student’s character, work ethic, and potential for success in college. These letters lend external support to a student’s application.
Standardized Test Scores: Depending on a college’s testing policy, SAT or ACT scores may still be a factor in the admissions process, but they are not the sole determining factor. Holistic admissions recognizes that the numbers don’t always tell the whole story, so test scores are viewed in context with the rest of the application.
Demonstrated Interest: Some colleges may use the amount of interest a student has shown in their institution as a factor for consideration in the admissions process. When evaluating an application, they may emphasize a college-specific supplemental essay (like a “Why Us?” essay) or note if the student applying has visited their campus or engaged in other meaningful ways.
Other Factors: Depending on a college’s goals, policies, and priorities, other review factors may be used in holistic admissions. For example, some public universities may consider a student’s residency. Some religious institutions may ask about a student’s religious beliefs. Other colleges may consider whether a student has family members who attended that university. Other factors that complete the “full picture” of who a student is can vary by institution, so understanding their admission factors is key.
Holistic admissions also allows admissions offices to see how a student’s college application was shaped by their experiences. Knowing what special circumstances a student has faced or challenges they’ve overcome means they can be viewed as a whole person. It may provide valuable context to other parts of their application.
IS EVERYTHING WEIGHTED THE SAME IN HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS?
This is a common question that comes up when we talk with students and families about holistic admissions. Often, the underlying question is something like, “Do my grades matter less in holistic admissions?” or “If my grades aren’t as strong, can something else (like extracurriculars) make up for it?”
Short answer: Not really.
Slightly longer answer: The way that colleges practice holistic admissions can vary. Each institution has the ability to decide which review factors they weigh more heavily than others; the different review factors do not “count” equally.
While non-academic factors matter in holistic admissions—and sometimes, they can matter a lot—academic factors like the rigor of curriculum and final grades are almost always top priority.
Again, holistic admissions means the whole student and the sum of their experiences are taken into consideration. If a student’s academic history has contributing factors, the student should make sure that context is given in the application. But it is up to each college to decide how they will evaluate the information provided.
So how do you determine which review factors are weighted more heavily than others? The college may tell you outright in an information session or on their admissions website. But if you aren’t sure, you can look up the college’s Common Data Set (Google “college name” + “Common Data Set”). A chart in section C7 shows a college’s review factors and the level of importance of each.
HOW DO I INCREASE MY CHANCES IN HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS?
Here are some tips to maximize your chances of admission to a college that practices holistic admissions:
Maintain a strong academic performance during high school. Students should challenge themselves with rigorous coursework, dedicate time to study, seek help when needed, and show a genuine interest in learning.
Engage in extracurricular activities that align with interests and values. Look for opportunities to demonstrate commitment, impact, leadership, and growth. Think “quality over quantity” with extracurricular involvement.
Write essays that tell your unique story. Use your writing to authentically showcase your perspectives, values, experiences, and personal growth. Make sure to thoughtfully answer shorter supplemental essays, especially if the question asks about your college fit or your chosen major.
Build meaningful relationships with teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can write compelling letters of recommendation. Engage in class and activities, and let the adults in your life get to know you, your interests, and your goals. When requesting recommendations, consider which writers will add new perspective to your application or can support pieces of your story you wish to emphasize.
Demonstrate a genuine interest in the colleges you want to attend. Experience campus either in-person or virtually. Reach out to your admissions counselor with any questions you may have during the application process. And if there is a supplemental essay question that allows you to demonstrate how and why you are a strong fit for the college, be sure to thoughtfully convey how the college’s specific programs, values, or opportunities align with your aspirations.