How does holistic review differ from traditional review?

Hi! I've seen that a lot of universities emphasize their holistic review process for college applications. Can anyone share some insights on how a holistic review process might be different from a traditional review process? A bit confused here.

Hi there! I'm happy to help clarify the difference between holistic review and traditional review in college admissions. While both approaches aim to evaluate applicants, they differ in their focus and the factors considered during the evaluation process.

Traditional review primarily focuses on a student's quantitative metrics, such as their GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores. This approach relies heavily on numerical factors to determine if a student is academically capable of succeeding at a particular institution.

On the other hand, the holistic review process goes beyond these quantitative metrics, and aims to assess the entire applicant profile. In addition to academic performance, colleges that employ a holistic review approach consider extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and other non-academic factors that give insight into a student's character, interests, and potential for success.

This approach allows admission officers to understand students on a deeper level and evaluate them within the context of their unique life experiences. Holistic review's goal is to build a diverse class of students who can contribute different perspectives and talents to the campus community.

While holistic review may seem more beneficial for applicants, one downside of the approach is that it can sometimes seem opaque, as each college and university may use different criteria to weigh each application component. Some institutions might prioritize demonstrated leadership or community service involvement, while others may place higher value on essays or rigorous coursework. Additionally, even the same school may prioritize lightly different factors from one year to the next. If you're applying to a school that employs a holistic review process, make sure all elements of your application are as polished as possible, as you never know exactly what could be the difference-maker.

In summary, the main difference between traditional and holistic review is that traditional review focuses on academic metrics, while holistic review considers a broader array of factors, including a student's personal qualities, experiences, and potential contributions to the campus community. I hope this clears up your confusion!