Admissions Leaders Discuss Policies and Test Scores in Holistic Admissions

At this year’s College Board Forum, one of the standout sessions featured a dynamic panel of three admissions leaders, moderated by Tevera Stith, consultant/advisor at the KIPP Foundation. The session, “A view from campus: Recent trends in the use of standardized tests,” delved into the evolving landscape of admissions policies, the contextual use of test scores, and the role of test scores in holistic admissions. Here are some key takeaways from this insightful discussion.

Admissions Policies in a Changing Landscape

The session began with each admissions leader sharing key information about their respective institutions:

• Jessica Ricker, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid at Skidmore College, highlighted their commitment to increasing access for underrepresented students and the steps they are taking to ensure equity in their admissions process.
• Miguel Wasielewski, vice provost of admissions at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, discussed UT’s automatic admissions and holistic review process, which looks beyond test scores to consider a student’s personal qualities and contributions to their community.
• Kris Wong Davis, vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admission at Carnegie Mellon University, shared insights into their use of data analytics to support a more comprehensive evaluation of applicants.

Contextual Use of Test Scores

A significant portion of the discussion focused on how test scores are used in context. The admissions leaders explained that test scores are just one piece of the puzzle. They consider them alongside other factors such as a student’s high school curriculum, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. The goal is to understand the student’s achievements within the context of their environment and opportunities.

Ricker shared an example of how Skidmore College uses a student’s test scores in conjunction with their high school profile. This approach helps to account for differences in educational resources and opportunities, providing a more holistic view of the student’s academic potential.

Holistic Admissions: Beyond the Numbers

The panelists unanimously agreed that holistic admissions go beyond just numbers. They discussed the importance of looking at the whole student, including their personal qualities, resilience, and contributions to their community. Test scores, while important, are not the sole determinant of a student’s potential for success in college.

Stith facilitated a lively Q&A session where attendees asked about specific practices and challenges in implementing holistic admissions. The admissions panelists shared practical tips and strategies, such as using data analytics to support holistic review processes.

The session concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to holistic admissions. The panel members emphasized that while test scores provide valuable information, they are part of a broader, more comprehensive evaluation of each applicant. The discussion underscored the importance of fairness, equity, and a student-centered approach in the admissions process.

This session provided valuable insights into the nuanced and thoughtful approaches that admissions officers are taking to ensure that their policies and practices support all students in their journey to higher education.