Which U.S. Universities Follow Holistic Admission Reviews for Admission

Many U.S. universities employ holistic admissions processes, which go beyond just considering test scores and GPA to evaluate applicants. This approach aims to understand applicants as whole individuals, rather than reducing them to a set of numbers. Here are some notable institutions known for their holistic review practices:

Notable U.S. Universities Committed to Holistic Reviews

Harvard University Stanford University University of California (UC) System, including UC Berkeley and UCLA University of Chicago Yale University Princeton University Columbia University Duke University University of Pennsylvania Northwestern University

These universities typically evaluate applicants based on a variety of factors such as academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and sometimes interviews.

The Holistic Admission Process

Contrary to popular belief, the holistic admission process is not just about academic performance. Admission committees consider multiple factors, including where you went to high school, the courses you took, your extracurricular activities, and your outside interests.

Understanding Admissions on a Spectrum

To better understand the diversity of admission policies, consider them on a spectrum. For example, a state flagship public university may admit state residents based on re-weighted high school GPA and SAT scores for most majors. As long as a student's GPA and SAT scores are above certain thresholds, they are likely admitted, except for a few competitive majors like engineering and nursing.

Harvard and MIT as Examples

Go 100 miles east to find universities like Harvard and MIT, which attract many highly qualified applicants. These schools also use a holistic process because they can afford to be selective. They look beyond top grades and scores to determine how applicants can contribute to the community. Factors such as leadership, involvement in sports, music, art, demographics, and more are considered.

Top Competitive Schools

The most competitive schools, often categorized as the top 50 to 75 National Universities and top 25 to 30 National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News, use a holistic approach to admissions. This ensures that despite the high qualifications of applicants, the final decision considers the holistic contribution potential to the university community.

Overall, the holistic admission review process allows for a more nuanced evaluation of applicants, emphasizing their individual qualities and potential beyond mere numerical achievements.