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We receive many questions from students about what holistic college admissions means. The phrase “holistic review” has caused more misunderstanding than almost any other in the application world, from what I’ve seen. Parents hear it when they visit schools, students read it on websites for university admissions, and teachers say it again and again in workshops. Still, many applicants are curious: Does that mean my GPA won’t matter?

As an admissions consultant, I can tell you that the new, test-score-based method is very different from the holistic college application review, which looks at you as a whole person.

Now let’s talk about how it works and why it should change the way you think about your app.

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What Is a Holistic College Admissions?

To put it simply, holistic college admissions means the committee considers your entire profile, rather than just GPA and test scores. Of course, academics matter, but colleges and universities also want to know how you’ve spent your free time, how you think, and how you’ve helped your community.

I think this process is great because it lets students with different skills participate. One candidate might stand out because they are a leader in sports, while another might do a unique study project that makes them stand out. With the holistic review, both students can be seen in a fair light.

So, what’s the point of a holistic college application review? It’s to evaluate context. From my experience, admissions committees want to understand the “why” behind your story.

For example, your GPA may not be great since you had to work part-time while going to school. Or maybe you lived in a small town where there weren’t even any AP courses.

A holistic admission looks at both potential and performance. That implies that colleges accept students who are creative, resilient, and passionate, not simply those who get straight A’s.

Factors That Colleges Look at in a Holistic Review

Admissions officers combine several parts of your application, and together they create a complete picture of who you are.

Let’s go step by step through the most important factors that colleges look at in a holistic college application review process.

Academic Record Still Comes First

High school grades, SAT, and ACT scores are still part of the story. Admissions officers want to know if you’ve taken advantage of the opportunities at your school:

• Did you challenge yourself with AP, IB, or honors courses?
• Did you show steady growth over four years?

Strong academic achievements reassure colleges that you can handle the workload once you get there. However, they don’t expect perfection.

In fact, some of my past students with a B on their transcripts ended up being admitted to Ivy League schools because the rest of their application showed depth and personality.

Extracurricular Activities

Many think they need to join every club under the sun. In reality, admissions officers value impact more than quantity. They’re asking: “How did this student spend their time outside of class? Did they grow as a leader, a teammate, or a problem-solver?“

To make it easier, here are the qualities colleges admire most in extracurriculars:

1. Consistency – sticking with an activity for multiple years.
2. Growth – moving from member to leader, or starting your own project.
3. Passion – showing genuine interest rather than just padding your resume.
4. Impact – making a real difference, whether in your school, community, or beyond.

For example, I once worked with a student who ran a single local food drive every year. That commitment stood out more than another applicant who bounced around between five different clubs.

Essays and Personal Statements

Numbers can’t show your personality, but an essay can. From my experience, admissions officers remember essays that feel personal and specific, not generic.

When you write about a challenge you’ve faced, a quirky passion, or even a moment that changed how you see the world, you create a connection with the reader.

Think of your essay as a chance to answer the unspoken question: “Who will you be on our campus?”

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation matter a lot because they show your personal qualities in ways grades can’t. Teachers and counselors often point out how you work with others, support classmates, or push yourself academically.

From my experience, the best letters show your intellectual curiosity and growth. That’s why it’s smarter to ask a teacher who really knows you (even if you didn’t get the top grade) than someone who barely remembers you.

Strong recommendations help colleges build a diverse student body because they can see who you are and how you learn.

Interviews and Demonstrated Interest

Not every college requires an interview, but when they do, it’s a golden opportunity to show your enthusiasm and personality.

Even when interviews aren’t mandatory, many schools track demonstrated interest. That means attending webinars, signing up for mailing lists, or visiting campus can show that you’re genuinely serious about the school.

Institutional Priorities

Colleges are also building a balanced freshman class. From my experience, this can cover priorities like recruiting more STEM majors, supporting athletics, or expanding diversity.

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That means sometimes your intended major, background, or unique skill lines up perfectly with what the college needs that year.

While you can’t control every institutional priority, understanding this helps explain why one student might be admitted over another with similar stats.

Special Circumstances

When reviewing applications holistically, admissions officers consider applicants’ unique experiences alongside their background, resources, and the challenges they’ve faced. For example, first-generation status, financial hardships, or family responsibilities are all part of the story.

I always tell students: don’t shy away from sharing these experiences. If you had to babysit siblings every afternoon, that’s responsibility and maturity. If you worked a job to support your family, that’s resilience.

These circumstances actually strengthen your application by showing character and determination.

Holistic Review Process in Selective College Admissions

I’ve been working with students and reading committee notes over the years. So, I can say how the holistic review works at selective universities and top schools like Dartmouth. 

The admissions process is contextual: readers weigh school profile, rigor, trends, and opportunity. At highly selective places, grades and test scores still carry much weight, but they’re read alongside evidence of academic excellence and nonacademic impact to reach more equitable admissions decisions.

In practice, Harvard’s internal memos talk about context; Stanford would likely describe it as a “whole person” read. Different labels, same idea.

In a typical pass, a first reader scores sections, leaves notes, and flags strengths or questions for the committee. A second reader or small subcommittee checks consistency and “fit” with institutional priorities (majors to build, geographic balance, first-gen goals, talent needs). 

That’s the decision-making process before the final committee:

1. Academics – course rigor, grades and test scores, trends, and markers of academic excellence.
2. Voice – essays that sound like you and show how you think.
3. Endorsements – letters that show the applicant’s collaboration, leadership, and growth.
4. Impact – activities with depth, initiative, and outcomes.
5. Context – family, school, and community factors.

Most final calls happen in committee, where files are compared side by side.

Remember, selectivity is a set of trade-offs as colleges admit students who round out a class. And there’s no single hook. Just align your documents so they point to one story: ready for the work, curious, reflective, and likely to add value on campus.

How to Determine if a College Practices Holistic Admissions?

To determine whether a college really does holistic admissions, do two things. First, check the admissions policies page and look at the Common Data Set (Section C7).

If they say they read the applicant as a whole person and C7 shows essays, recs, and activities matter alongside measures of academic achievement, that’s a yes.

Next, scan what the college requires: essays, recommendation letters, portfolios, and interviews all signal depth. Look for language about “context” and “fit,” plus examples of how academic rigor, impact, and recommendations interact.

Just so you know, a holistic read balances academic achievement with nonacademic qualities, then builds an incoming class that meets mission goals.

So, if nearly everything nonacademic is “Not Considered,” or the process is a single-number index, that’s not holistic.

Wrapping Up

After all, colleges look for the best applicants. They want students with high numbers and those who bring strong character, impact, and unique academic interests to campus. So, focus on authentic stories, academic growth, and impact outside the classroom.

Also, it’s better to know how the application process works, since that will help you tell your story in the best way possible. If you’re not sure what to do, the best college admissions consultants will help you strengthen your story so every piece points in the same direction.