How Do Admissions Officers Decide Who Fits in Best?
Selecting the ideal college is a big decision, and admission officers have the responsibility of selecting those who will fit best.
Standardized testing and grades are important components of the admissions process, but admissions officers consider more than just what students accomplish in school.
Most US colleges employ a “holistic review” process when making admission decisions, taking into account more than just grades and test scores.
Academics
Academics are individuals who teach or conduct research at universities or other higher learning institutions. Usually, academics possess at least a master’s degree in their chosen field of study.
Academics are the most important factor admissions officers consider when reviewing college applications. Students with good grades in challenging courses are more likely to be accepted than those taking easier classes or earning poor grades.
Students often mistakenly believe their academics are the only factor admissions officers consider when considering college eligibility. A strong grade point average can make all the difference in whether or not a student is admitted to one of America’s top schools, so it’s important to not overlook them when applying.
Academics is typically one of eight factors admissions officers take into account when making their decisions. Other considerations include extracurricular activities, standardized test scores and letters of recommendation.
In addition to SAT and ACT scores, many colleges utilize algorithms to screen applications and determine who gets to see them. This screening usually involves comparing an applicant’s academic profile with their school’s required minimum GPA and rank.
The algorithms that larger schools utilize to screen applicants have a major effect on the admissions process. Typically, these algorithms assign up to 80% of applicants into groups deemed “likely to accept” or “likely to reject.”
Colleges often select students through an admissions lottery. This selection process typically relies on the academic and extracurricular performance of a certain group of applicants.
Unfortunately, some students are overlooked even with outstanding SAT and ACT scores. At one school, for instance, admissions officers only reviewed extracurricular profiles and essays of those assigned either a “likely to accept” or “likely reject” rating by an algorithm.
Elizabeth Slay’s recent book, The Art of Admissions Office, takes an in-depth look at college admissions officers’ selection processes. In conducting her interviews with 22 admissions officers from 16 colleges and universities – both public and private four-year institutions – Slay gained insight into this fascinating process.
Extracurriculars
When applying to colleges, extracurricular activities can be a key factor in whether or not you get accepted. Not only do they develop your skills, but they also demonstrate leadership qualities which colleges look for when selecting applicants.
It is ideal to become involved in as many activities as possible during your high school years, particularly those which will help develop leadership qualities and make a difference in the community. These could include sports, music, and volunteer work.
It is essential to engage in at least a few worthwhile extracurriculars and prioritize those which demonstrate your dedication to them for an extended period of time. Be sure to explain why these activities are meaningful and how they have helped you hone your strengths and talents.
For instance, starting a business can be an excellent way to demonstrate that you are willing to take responsibility and invest in something which benefits others. This will make the admissions officer think you are an ambitious leader who will do whatever it takes in order to succeed.
In addition to these more formal extracurriculars, there are a range of other activities you can get involved in that aren’t considered official extracurriculars. Examples include working part-time, starting a small business or volunteering at your local animal shelter.
Colleges take into account a student’s extracurricular activities when assessing extracurriculars. For instance, having an enjoyable job can help alleviate some of the pressure of studying for tests or assignments. Furthermore, this teaches valuable lessons about teamwork and dependability – skills which will be invaluable to college students as they navigate life outside the classroom.
Examples of extracurriculars that colleges value include national or world class titles and championships, intelligence/Siemens competitions, and winning science bowls. Other common extracurriculars include leadership positions at well-known organizations or clubs, sports distinctions, and regional competition victories. It’s essential that you select extracurriculars which align with the career path you plan to pursue after high school.
Personality
Personality is a complex construct, made up of traits and factors that come together to form one’s individual personality. Individuals’ personalities can differ significantly depending on genetics and other influences, so psychologists use various methods for measuring personality such as phrenology (studying bumps on the head), physiognomy (observation of outer appearance) and psychological tests.
Psychologists sometimes define personality in terms of five basic traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. These are known as the “Big Five.” Some psychologists also suggest that honesty and humility can be important elements in developing one’s character.
One method of measuring personality is the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised, which assesses six subordinate dimensions of personality. Also known as NEO-PI-R, this 240 item self-report questionnaire measures personality traits.
The NEO-PI-R is widely used to assess personality in many fields, such as business and law enforcement. Unfortunately, it has yet to be formally adopted into medical school admissions processes for unknown reasons.
Studies have indicated that a person’s personality can predict their performance in academics and clerkships. In some instances, personality traits are even more influential than one’s GPA or MCAT scores.
Psychological theories about personality exist, such as the Big Five and diathesis-stress model of behavior. Both models emphasize how biological predispositions and environmental elements combine to explain why some individuals act differently than others.
These theories assert that people’s personalities evolve over time and in different contexts. They’re sometimes referred to as psychometric theories, since they use measurements of traits which can be quantitatively assessed.
Another way to understand personality is through the Eysenck theory of personality, which suggests people are predisposed towards certain behaviors based on biological factors. However, research has also discovered that environmental influences can also have an effect on personality.
Research into personality has focused on understanding how people’s personalities shape decisions and actions. Some psychologists suggest people’s personalities are shaped by their family environment, including what position they held while growing up, while other theories emphasize genetics as an influential factor in shaping one’s character traits.
Leadership
Admissions officers have the responsibility of making decisions for thousands of students each year. They strive to find applicants with the potential to succeed academically and demonstrate they’ve made wise choices throughout their lives – one way they can demonstrate this is through leadership.
Leadership is the capacity to motivate and inspire others. It’s a skill that anyone can develop, making it essential for leaders in order to be effective at their jobs.
Leaders must always communicate their vision clearly and set goals that are achievable. Furthermore, they should supply followers with the resources and tools necessary to make those objectives a reality.
Different leadership styles exist and each works best in different types of companies or environments. While some styles are more prevalent than others, others should not be disregarded altogether.
Laissez-faire leadership is a style of management that values team members’ opinions over company policy. While this can be effective at stimulating innovation in the workplace, it may prove challenging for team members to be included in decision making processes resulting in conflict or frustration.
Bureaucratic leadership, on the other hand, takes a more traditional approach to leadership that prioritizes company needs over those of its team members. While this can be an effective method for getting things done, it doesn’t guarantee employees a pleasant work environment.
Democratic leadership, on the other hand, relies on the idea that employees should have their voices heard. While this type of management is more modern and effective, teams may find it challenging to implement due to time-consuming input from multiple levels of staff.
Leadership at its best is when it inspires team members to reach their full potential and fosters pride in their work. This approach, known as “servant leadership,” encourages employees to reach for greater accomplishments through positive reinforcement and rewards – leading to improved performance from those on the team.