Increasingly, admissions professionals are favoring a comprehensive look at applicants, not just their test scores.
By looking at softer measures like personality traits and soft skills — in addition to test scores — proponents believe the holistic approach better assesses the whole applicant and serves as a better predictor of future success. The approach also has been credited with building stronger cohorts that are more diverse not only in race, ethnicity and gender, but also in experience, socioeconomic status and perspective.
ETS recently released a new report examining the future of holistic admissions. A copy of that report is available for download.
