Have you ever thought about how much YOU matter during the admissions process? The answer to this question will vary depending on where you are applying, but as a former admissions counselor for a large public state institution, I can assure you that personality and character do not go unnoticed during the application review process.
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 percent of admissions counselors rated Personal Character as considerably important, and around 44 percent rated it as moderately important. 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.
The Role of Character in a Holistic Application Review
If you have started exploring colleges, you may have heard the term “holistic admissions.” The holistic review process considers 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 an application as a whole to give the reader a larger picture of who the candidate is and how they will contribute to their institution’s community. Note that holistic admissions does not mean that 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!
That said, 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. 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.”
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.
How Personal Characteristics Are Assessed
Remember to highlight 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 a final admissions decision. Having been the person reading applications, I always encourage students to continue spotlighting their positive personal characteristics in their applications.
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Alexis Mackbach plays a critical role in Premium Prep College Counseling’s daily operations and works collaboratively across its departments, assisting with technology, marketing, and social media. Prior to working at Premium Prep, she worked within the University of Connecticut Admissions Office as an Admissions Counselor engaging with prospective students in various Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Midwest states.
