Skip to main content

The Holistic Admissions Process

The Holistic Admissions Process

What Are Holistic Admissions?

Holistic admissions is a comprehensive university admissions strategy that assesses an applicant's unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement. It moves beyond simple metrics like GPA and test scores to evaluate a candidate's full profile. The goal is to assemble a diverse class of students from a wide range of backgrounds and with a variety of qualities and skills.  

This review process is a highly individualised look at each applicant's file, giving serious consideration to all the ways an applicant might contribute to a diverse educational environment. It is a system that values your personal story, unique experiences, and background as much as your academic record, including factors like socioeconomic status, unique talents, civic engagement, and leadership.  

Components of a Holistic Application

A US university application is a multi-layered portfolio that tells your story from multiple perspectives. The key components include:

  • Academic Transcript: This includes your GCSEs, A-Levels, International Baccalaureate, or other qualifications. It is the foundation of your application, demonstrating your academic preparedness.  
  • SAT or ACT Scores: These standardised tests are used to assess your readiness for university-level work. While some universities are still "test-optional," many policies are expiring, so these scores remain an important benchmark.  
  • Extracurricular Activities: This section is a crucial part of the application. It allows you to showcase your passions, commitments, and contributions outside of the classroom.  
  • Letters of Recommendation: You will typically need letters from a teacher and a school counselor. These letters provide an outside perspective on your character, skills, and potential.  
  • Personal Statement: This is your main essay, a narrative-driven piece where you can share your story, values, and personal growth.  
  • Supplemental Essays: These are school-specific essays that allow universities to see if you are a good "fit" for their institution.  
  • Interview: An interview provides a face-to-face opportunity for admissions officers to get to know you and assess your communication skills.  
  • Demonstrated Interest: While not a formal component, many universities track your engagement with them - such as attending virtual events or emailing admissions - to gauge how interested you are in their school.  
Standardised Testing: The SAT or the ACT?

Standardised tests are a key part of the US application process, designed to provide a uniform measure of your academic readiness. The two main options are the SAT and the ACT, and most universities accept either with no preference given to one over the other. The choice often comes down to which test format best suits your style of thinking.  

The SAT

The SAT is a two-hour and 14-minute digital test that is now offered everywhere. The test is composed of four long sections and is less time-pressured, giving you between 41% and 44% more time per question than the ACT. This allows you to analyse less information more deeply.  

Key features of the SAT include:

  • Digital Adaptive Format: The test is digital and adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the second module in each section (Reading and Writing, Math) adjusts based on your performance in the first module.  
  • Reading and Writing: The Reading and Writing section features short reading passages with only one question per passage.
  • Math: The math section has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, which can be a significant advantage.
The ACT: A Test of Speed and Breadth

The ACT is a longer test, lasting approximately three hours and ten minutes. It is still offered on paper in most locations, with limited digital availability. The ACT is designed to assess your ability to process a lot of information quickly, with a focus on straightforward questions.  

Key features of the ACT include:

  • Science Section: The ACT includes a unique science section that assesses your ability to interpret scientific data and passages.  
  • Reading: The reading passages are long, with ten questions each.  
  • Pacing: The pacing is extremely fast, with simpler problems than the SAT but much less time per question.  
  • Optional Essay: The ACT offers an optional essay section.  

Many students choose to take both tests to see which one better highlights their strengths before committing to one. Ultimately, the best test for you is the one where you can perform to your highest potential.