When students hear the phrase “holistic admission” they may wonder what it really means. Does it mean admission counselors are looking at everything on an application? Are grades more important than activities? Does one challenging semester define an application?
The answer to these questions is: it depends. That’s where context comes in.
In a holistic review process, admission counselors look beyond individual numbers, accomplishments or experiences to understand the student behind the application. Context helps us make sense of what we see on the page and, importantly, understand each student’s accomplishments and opportunities based on their unique circumstances.
There Is More to a Transcript Than a GPA
A GPA is one piece of an academic record, but it doesn’t tell the entire story.
When reviewing a transcript, admission counselors consider the courses a student chose, the rigor available at their school, and their academic progression over time, as well as how they challenged themselves given the opportunities available to them.
For example, imagine two students who both have the same exact GPA. On paper, that number is identical. But perhaps one student attends a school offering dozens of AP and honors courses and has taken advantage of many of those opportunities, while another attends a school where advanced coursework is limited.
The GPA alone doesn’t tell us that story; the surrounding context does.
This doesn’t mean that students are expected to take courses their school does not offer. Instead, admission counselors want to understand how students have made the most of the academic opportunities available to them.
Opportunities Look Different for Every Student
The same principle applies beyond the classroom. One student may be involved in student government, play a varsity sport, participate in several clubs and/or volunteer in their community. Another may spend 20 hours a week working at a family business or caring for younger siblings after school.
If we only counted the number of activities listed on an application, we might miss something important. Holistic review allows admission counselors to consider how a student has spent their time and why.
An experience doesn’t have to come with an impressive title or a long list of awards to be meaningful. Employment, family responsibilities, community involvement, hobbies, athletics, creative pursuits, and other commitments can all provide valuable insight into a student’s interests, responsibilities, character and priorities.
The question isn’t simply, “What did this student do?” It’s also, “What did this student have the opportunity to do, and how did they choose to spend their time?”
Challenges Matter, Too
Context can also help explain circumstances that may have affected a student’s academic or personal experience.
Perhaps a student experienced a significant family change, had to balance school with work, moved between schools, or faced another circumstance that affected their ability to participate in certain opportunities.
A student doesn’t need to have experienced adversity to be a compelling applicant, nor should students feel pressure to share deeply personal information. However, when circumstances have meaningfully influenced a student’s experience, providing appropriate context can help an admission counselor better understand the application.
This is one reason the additional information section of an application can be useful when used thoughtfully. It’s not another essay or an opportunity to make excuses. Rather, it can provide relevant information that helps an admission counselor understand something they might otherwise misinterpret.
Your Application Tells a Story
Ultimately, a college application is more than a collection of statistics. Your grades show us how you have performed academically. Your courses demonstrate how you have challenged yourself. Your activities tell us how you spend your time and what matters to you. Your essays can give us insight into your experiences, perspectives and aspirations.
Context connects those pieces. That is why there is no single formula for what makes a strong college applicant. Students come from different schools, communities, families and circumstances. They have different opportunities and responsibilities. A holistic admission process recognizes those differences while considering each student’s academic and personal journey.
So, as you prepare your college applications, don’t worry about trying to build the “perfect” application or compare your list of activities to someone else’s. Instead, focus on telling your story honestly and thoughtfully.
Your application isn’t just about what you have done. It’s about who you are, the opportunities you have had, the choices you have made and the context in which your experiences have taken place. And that context matters.
Written By: Jessie Beeman, Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Admission