Holistic Admission and the Role of Context in a College Application
With the first major wave of application deadlines less than a month away, prospective students and their families have most likely heard the phrase “holistic admission” during a campus visit or college fair. What exactly is holistic admission and how can context impact the review of your applications this fall and spring?
Holistic Admission and Types of Context
Holistic admission refers to the process by which each aspect of the application (transcript, course rigor, test scores, extracurriculars, essay, letters of recommendation, etc.) is reviewed rather than focusing solely on one or two pieces like GPA or test scores. This phrase is employed by a variety of institutions, from large state universities to small liberal arts colleges. Although applications are generally reviewed quickly (at Franklin & Marshall I would generally finish reading an application in under five minutes), holistic review is integral to the application reading process. Context is the primary tool utilized by holistic reviewers and is classified by three main types: academic, extracurricular, and personal.
Academic Context
While college admission offices love to see straight As in strong rigor and perfect test scores, those academic profiles are few and far between. Rather, these application reviewers are hoping to construct an accurate narrative from the transcript and test scores (if submitted).
Not all grade point averages are created equally. For example, a 4.0 in little to no rigor (no AP, Honors, or Dual Enrollment courses, etc) is viewed differently than a 3.75 with some AP or Honors courses. Additionally, an applicant’s choice of intended major can tell application reviewers valuable information. A student looking to study the arts/humanities in college and who has weaker grades in rigorous STEM courses but excels in AP English and/or History demonstrates that they are well equipped to study those disciplines in college.
Finally, numerous colleges and universities have access to a tool called “Landscape” (via CollegeBoard). This tool captures high-school specific information like 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile SAT scores and AP participation. Contextual tools like Landscape add another dimension to the conversation on test scores and overall academic rigor. For example, if an applicant’s SAT score is below the average of the college they are applying to but is well above their high school’s 75th percentile, admission offices can make a note when they meet as a committee. Additionally, academic rigor is often evaluated across two metrics: performance and quantity compared to what the individual school offers. When meeting with admission officers either on campus or at a school event, asking them whether they have access to and use Landscape can inform you how holistic their review process is.
Extracurricular and Personal Context
Well-roundedness is often cited by college admission offices because it allows them to forecast how prospective students could enhance their respective campuses in different ways. Club involvement/leadership, athletics, music/performing arts, volunteering, and employment are some of the types of extracurricular activities prospective students should include on their application. Not all students, however, have access to the same number of clubs/organizations and sometimes external factors restrict the time set aside for extracurricular activities.
Admissions offices that practice holistic review understand these factors, but be sure to include as much contextual information (assuming you are comfortable sharing) as you can. For example, if you have significant family responsibilities (i.e., taking care of younger siblings or other family members) or work part-time, that demonstrates to application reviewers certain soft skills one might also get with club/organization leadership and involvement.
Personal context is present basically throughout every part of your application, from the personal essay and letters of recommendation to the interview. The application serves as the way colleges get to know you personally and gauge your potential to impact their campus communities positively. Providing this type of context is crucial when crafting an admission application.
