How Much of a Role Personal Character Plays in the Admissions Review Process
Written By: Alexis Mackbach, Former Admissions Officer
Have you ever thought about how much you matter during the admissions process? Like, how much you, as a person, are considered, when an admissions counselor is looking at your application? As a former admissions counselor for a large public state institution, I am here to share that YOU do matter. Your personality and character do not go unnoticed during the application review process and depending on the institution, they may even considerably help your overall review!
How Important is My Character?
The answer to this question will vary depending on the institution you are applying to. The National Association of College Admission Counseling compiled survey results from almost 500 admissions professionals and found that an applicant’s personal characteristics lie somewhere between “considerably important” and “moderately important.” Around 26% of admissions counselors rated Personal Character as considerably important, and around 44% rated it as moderately important. The importance placed on an applicant’s character also varied between public and private universities and changed depending on the selectivity of the school. Private colleges ranked a student’s personal characteristics more important than their public counterparts, and colleges with lower selectivity ranked personal characteristics as less important than schools with higher selectivity.
Character in a Holistic Application Review
If you have started exploring colleges, you may have heard the term “holistic admissions” thrown around a few times. I would describe the holistic review process as considering an applicant as a whole person, going beyond grades and test scores to weigh factors like extracurriculars, personal experiences, letters of recommendation, and the personal essay. Essentially, a holistic review looks at your application as a whole to give the reader a larger picture of who you are and how you will contribute to their institution’s community. Note that holistic admissions does not mean that your unique experiences will completely compensate for grades or scores that do not align with the requirements or mid-ranges for accepted students at that school. Academics are always the most important!
The crucial, yet commonly overlooked aspect in an application evaluation is a student’s personal characteristics. I’ve seen firsthand how positive character traits can significantly influence the decision made on one’s application. Personal characteristics can be found in written components such as the essay, or the Additional Information section, where students may share context and background about themselves, showcasing their mindset, important values, and motivations. Character might also be found in letters of recommendation, which can highlight traits such as leadership, integrity, resilience, and persistence. Participation in different extracurricular activities and community service might emphasize attributes like social and cultural awareness, selflessness, compassion, and creativity. By looking at all of these pieces collectively, an admissions counselor can begin to see your passions, personality, and authenticity. Whether it be a student who is described in letters of recommendation as always staying after class to help someone with their work, or a student who organizes a weekly trash clean-up around town, strong character shines through in an application and makes an admissions office eager to say “yes.” The qualities that define you help paint the picture of the kind of person you will be once you join their community.
Why Your Character is Important and How Personal Characteristics Are Assessed
During each admissions cycle, admissions counselors aim to create a more dynamic and diverse class than in previous years. Building a class of students involves looking for individuals with varying experiences, interests, backgrounds, and viewpoints. Students with positive characteristics will act as leaders on campus, contributing to an inclusive community and an engaged and enriched classroom environment. The personal characteristics of one applicant help foster an overall positive and vibrant campus community.
Remember to highlight your personal character by showing, not telling. Use anecdotes and experiences to display auspicious characteristics. Always write genuinely, be yourself, and choose the right recommenders who can attest to your positive attributes. You can also include a resume, a portfolio, or participate in an interview if the school offers them.
Although an admissions committee cannot completely ignore academic achievement, rigor, grades, and test scores, personal characteristics offer a deeper understanding of who each student is outside of the classroom and can sometimes be a determining factor in your final admissions decision. Having been the person reading applications, I always encourage students to continue spotlighting their positive personal characteristics in their applications.
In a holistic review process, personal characteristics will always hold some degree of importance, and the defining traits in each applicant will only help the admissions staff identify those applicants who will thrive in and contribute to their college community. For more personalized help on how and where to showcase your personal characteristics in your college application schedule a free consultation with our admissions professionals.