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Ivy League's 2025 Admission Procedure Revealed: Importance of Comprehensive Evaluation

Ivy League schools emphasize a comprehensive evaluation process, often referred to as "holistic review". Here's a breakdown of how these institutions assess applicants and what it implies for strategic planning.

Ivy League Admissions Process of 2025: Emphasis on Comprehensive Evaluation, or simply, The...
Ivy League Admissions Process of 2025: Emphasis on Comprehensive Evaluation, or simply, The Holistic Approach to Ivy League Admissions in 2025

Ivy League's 2025 Admission Procedure Revealed: Importance of Comprehensive Evaluation

The holistic review process is a common method used by many top U.S. schools to evaluate applicants. This approach considers a variety of factors, including identity, experiences, academic performance, and extracurricular activities, without privileging one over the others.

Each school has unique values, mission, and needs, and a successful applicant will vary based on the institution they are applying to. Admissions officers are not just looking for students with the most impressive "on paper" credentials, but for those who are intellectually curious, community-oriented, and well-suited for their particular school.

The holistic review approach gained popularity following the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action and concerns about equity in admissions. It aims to admit students who are not just "perfect," but those who are a good fit for the specific school and its community.

In the 2024-25 admissions cycle, universities such as UPenn, Yale, and Columbia received over 72,000, 50,000, and nearly 60,000 applications respectively, making a deep, individualized review of every applicant unlikely. However, this does not mean that the holistic review process is not thorough.

Brown University, for example, evaluates applications holistically and in the context of the resources and opportunities available to each applicant. A weakness in one area of an application does not automatically disqualify a student from admission.

Success in the admissions process is not solely based on grades and test scores, but also on a student's activities, essays, and recommendation letters. Cornell University's admissions committees evaluate a student's academic transcript, but there is much more that is evaluated beyond just grades and test scores.

Admissions officers may also assess the needs of particular programs and departments, and students should be strategic and intentional about demonstrating why they are a compelling fit for both the institution and the particular program to which they are applying.

The holistic review process is not just about understanding a student in their own context, but also evaluating the student in the context of the institution's values, mission, and needs. If an applicant's school does not offer AP or IB curriculum, it will not be held against them in the holistic review process.

In conclusion, the holistic review process is a comprehensive approach to evaluating applicants, considering various aspects of their identity, experiences, and achievements. It's about admitting students who are the best fit for the school, not just those with the highest grades or test scores.

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