Constants in the Ever-Changing World of College Admissions
I’ve worked in the admissions world in three different decades, and the evidence of change is impossible to miss. Indeed, the college admissions landscape has changed very dramatically in just the last few years. For example, technology and social media have altered the dynamic in terms of how colleges reach out to students and the means by which applicants communicate back. In addition, the pandemic ushered in a dramatic reevaluation of the usefulness of standardized test scores. And the 2023 United States Supreme Court decision forbidding the use of race and ethnicity in the selection process produced a seismic shift in how admissions offices do their work to construct a class. On top of all of this, the number of applications to colleges continues to rise. The competitiveness of the process, combined with an enduring sense of mystery surrounding the process of how top institutions make their decisions, has contributed to a sense that the process is changing beyond comprehension.
There’s no doubt these changes are real and that the stress is higher than ever for students and families. But to an experienced eye, it is also clear that there are some elements of the admissions process that remain constant. In fact, these foundational principles remain central to an applicant’s success.
• Grades matter the most. Make no mistake, nothing is more important than what is on a student’s transcript, and that remains true today. At the most selective institutions, this is the first and most important part of the puzzle to be evaluated. Rigorous, demanding course selections and top performances are key. Red flags here can be nearly insurmountable to overcome even if the rest of the application is impressively constructed.
• A resume that shows leadership and connects the dots. Top colleges have more than enough outstanding students to pick from. They often make their picks by looking for students who have shown the independence and initiative to develop into leaders in their communities. Better yet, the key to standing out is presenting a resume that shows a clear connection between the applicant’s academic strengths in the classroom and their stated intellectual and career goals in college and beyond.
• Standardized testing matters. The reality is that SAT and ACT scores have remained important, even in the “test optional” era ushered in by the pandemic. Even though many highly selective institutions stopped requiring their submission, admissions officers were still very happy to consider them during selection. The “option” to submit was (and is) in reality a powerful opportunity for students with top scores to stand out. With many highly selective institutions now reinstating their testing requirements this year, you can be sure that these scores will continue to make a significant difference. Are they the most important factor? No. Will a top score alone guarantee admission? Definitely not. Will students still be admitted to highly competitive schools with low scores (or even without scores)? Certainly, that will still happen. But without a doubt, strong test results still matter.
• Authentic, likable writing. The “personal statement” has been a staple of college applications for decades and it remains a critical part of a holistic review process that seeks to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the entire person. Compelling personal stories that demonstrate likable attributes such as curiosity, empathy, and resilience can be told through the Common App personal statement. The supplement essay prompts often provide an opportunity for the candidate to clearly articulate their intended academic path and fit at that school. But just as college admissions counselors of past years looked closely for signs that overzealous parents and teachers may have taken too many liberties in assisting with the writing process, today’s college admissions officers are also on the lookout for the use of AI tools that may signal the essay was not the student’s work. Producing writing that is in the student’s own voice has always been important, and this remains true more than ever in today’s world. At Arthur Smith Advising our students produce well-written essays, but more importantly, they write interesting essays that are in their voice and which provide insight into the experiences that have shaped who they are.
• Your high school matters. Highly selective schools evaluate applicants on a geographical basis and the initial applicant pool is often divided up by high school. Evaluating a high school’s historical trends at various top colleges and universities will reveal important insights that can and should impact the strategy behind building a strong list of schools.
• Show some spark. Personality, positive energy, critical thinking, genuine curiosity and interesting viewpoints - all of these traits show the admissions committee that there is a compelling student behind the application they are reading. In a process that seemingly gets more competitive each year, the quest to identify unique and memorable young people to populate their incoming class remains the goal. Demonstrating that spark in their application should continue to be a goal for all applicants.
Like everything in life, college admissions practices evolve with the times. And at Arthur Smith Advising we pay close attention to those trends. But just like we can count on the reliability of the sun rising each morning, there are some bedrock aspects of a successful college application that remain constant. Understanding how to utilize those to an applicant’s advantage is a key part of our work at Arthur Smith Advising.