The process of university admission has undergone more tectonic shifts over the past two years than any time in recent memory. The test-optional policy of U.S. universities brought about by the COVID pandemic has resulted in a shift in how students are judged in the absence of SAT and ACT results from many applicants. There is an accelerated trend toward more holistic admission where universities are looking at the whole student with an emphasis on non-cognitive strength and soft skills. They want to see character and authenticity. As such, their focus has shifted to student’s essays, activities, letters of recommendation and the interview with good grades being a given for all applicants. Admissions officers are trying to decipher the following characteristics in students they admit:
- social justice and inclusion
- sustainability and stewardship
- growth and kindness
- openness to differences
- resiliency and grit
- intellectual curiosity
- community impact
U.S. acceptance rates for selective and highly selective universities are down. More students are being deferred or waitlisted, and admission is more competitive than it has ever been. Hence, students are advised to take advantage of applying in the early rounds (ED, EA, ED2), where available, and demonstrating the above characteristics through their activities and engagements and eventually through the pieces being shared in applications with universities. In other words, students should make every effort to get to know their school counselor and the 2 teachers who they will ask for recommendations from so that they can comment on their community involvement and growth mindset, in addition to their intellectual vitality, in reference letters they write.
Students are advised not to fall in love with one single college/university; instead, they must see the process as a consumer decision and not an emotional one. At Select College Admissions, we’ll work on choosing a student’s best fit campuses, making sure every student has some safeties where we know they WILL be admitted.