The college admissions landscape has undergone significant changes in the last 5-10 years. Driven a combination of technological advancements, shifts in societal values, and changing educational priorities, two key trends that have emerged: the increasing importance of holistic application reviews, and more recently the growing role of AI in evaluating applications.
Beyond Test Optional
One of the most notable trends has been the rise of test-optional policies, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Many universities reduced or entirely eliminated their reliance on standardized test scores like the SAT and ACT, favoring a more comprehensive review of applicants. In 2021, more than 1,800 U.S. colleges and universities adopted test-optional policies, reflecting the pandemic’s impact on students’ access to testing. Historically, in 2005, only 28 U.S. institutions had test-optional policies; by 2020, that number had surpassed 1,000, highlighting a growing shift even before the pandemic.
Today, admissions offices evaluate applicants on more than standardized test scores and GPAs. The holistic review process considers the full breadth of a student’s profile, including extracurricular involvement, personal essays, recommendation letters, and life experiences. This shift indicates a broader understanding that academic achievement alone may not fully capture a student’s potential or character. Holistic reviews allow admissions committees to consider a student’s unique background, obstacles overcome, leadership qualities, and contributions to their community, making the admissions process more inclusive and equitable.
Inviting Broader Diversity
According to a 2019 NACAC survey, 55% of U.S. colleges and universities considered holistic review as part of their admissions process. Looking back just five years earlier in 2014, only 35% of institutions reported using holistic review, showing a steady increase in the adoption of this approach over time.
Additionally, colleges are focusing more on admitting a diverse student body. According to a report by IvyWise, 68% of admissions directors said that increasing diversity was a primary goal in their admissions process in 2021. Similarly, a 2017 Inside Higher Ed Survey of admissions directors found that 51% of public and private universities said they had broadened their diversity efforts in the admissions process.
The Role of AI in Admissions
Artificial Intelligence is now being utilized by some universities to enhance efficiency and streamline the evaluation process. AI can analyze large data sets, identifying patterns that may support human reviewers’ insights. For example, AI tools may assist in evaluating consistency across a student’s application materials or summarizing data trends for admissions committees. However, these technologies also raise questions about privacy and transparency in their application, emphasizing the importance of clear ethical guidelines in their use.
Taken together, these trends around AI and holisitic admissions reviews indicate that the university admissions process is becoming more complex and multifaceted, requiring students to present a well-rounded, authentic, and digitally savvy profile to stand out.
Advising Students for Today’s College Admissions Process
You may now be wondering about the implication for students.
1. Greater Emphasis on Overall Profile
With the shift to holistic admissions, students can no longer rely solely on standardized test scores and GPA to stand out. Colleges now focus on a student’s entire profile, including extracurricular activities, leadership roles, personal statements, and recommendations.
Students must focus on developing a well-rounded profile that showcases their academic interests, personal values, leadership potential, and unique experiences. Demonstrating passion, initiative, and contributions to their communities becomes vital.
2. Increased Importance of Essays and Recommendations
As test-optional policies reduce the importance of SAT/ACT scores, admissions officers are placing more weight on personal essays and recommendation letters to gain insights into a student’s character, values, and fit for the institution.
Students should invest significant effort into crafting compelling personal statements and securing strong recommendation letters. This involves deep reflection on personal experiences and building meaningful relationships with teachers, counselors, or mentors.
3. Need for Authenticity in Digital and Social Media Presence
Regarding the rise of AI and digital tools to assess applicants, some institutions are examining a student’s online presence as part of the evaluation process. Maintaining consistency across applications and social media profiles is crucial.
Students should carefully curate their online profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, personal websites) to ensure they reflect their values and aspirations. Being mindful of their digital footprint is essential, as admissions officers may view social media activity as part of the holistic review.
4. Increased Access and Flexibility Through Test-Optional Policies
Test-optional admissions provide students with more flexibility, particularly those who may not perform well on standardized tests. This allows students to focus on other strengths in their applications.
Students who may not have strong test scores can strategically choose to apply to test-optional schools or submit applications that highlight their strengths in other areas, such as extracurriculars, essays, or projects. However, if a student has strong scores, submitting them could still be beneficial for competitive schools.
5. Importance of Experiential Learning and Real-World Skills
Admissions offices increasingly value experiential learning, such as internships, volunteer work, research, or global experiences. These experiences demonstrate real-world skills, such as adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving.
Students should actively seek out meaningful opportunities outside the classroom to build experience in their areas of interest. Engaging in internships, community service, and other hands-on experiences will strengthen their application and prepare them for college.
6. Pressure to Build a Unique and Distinctive Profile
With more schools adopting holistic admissions, the competition has shifted to who can present the most distinctive and memorable profile. It’s not just about checking boxes but rather showing depth in areas like leadership, passion projects, or social responsibility.
Students must develop a unique narrative that distinguishes them from their peers. Whether it’s through entrepreneurship, a personal project, or leadership in a specific cause, students should focus on depth over breadth in their activities.
7. Navigating AI’s Role in Admissions
AI is being used to analyze applications more efficiently, but it also introduces concerns about fairness and privacy. Students need to ensure their applications are clear, authentic, and consistent as AI tools can flag discrepancies or patterns in essays and recommendations.
Students should focus on writing clear, coherent, and authentic essays. Consistency across application materials is important, as AI tools might look for alignment between a student’s personal statement, recommendations, and digital presence.
A Good Coach can be Gold
Sesameed has recently launched several new services offerings in addition to our foundational boarding school admissions consulting service. These new programs are specifically designed for students applying to college or university, who are seeking guidance and community, new skills, and application skills to help them stand out. Our live, online UniPrep courses are designed for students as early as 9th grade, but course participants can begin at any level. The all-new standalone courses in our EssayPrep and AI usage training offer a deep dive into effective writing craftsmanship that works in harmony with AI tools – neither depending on them, nor hiding from them, and heavily emphasizes what it means to use AI tools ethically, and how to do that.
The Bottom Line: Change is Here
The changes we’ve discussed in this article aren’t something we’re seeing on a distant horizon. They’re here now, happening today. For future college and university applicants, awareness of the changes in this landscape is the first critical step towards a successful college application journey. Building skills and seeking out growth-encouraging experiences early in high school is where the real proverbial trek begins. Students don’t have to navigate these wilds alone – and they shouldn’t! College counselors, faculty advisors, recent alumni, and professional assistance from tutors, test prep classes, or a course from a well-regarded firm with a history of student success, like Sesameed Education are all great sources of support for parents and students alike.
