Half a century ago, the path to higher education was a relatively straightforward calculation of grade point averages and SAT scores. Today, that path has transformed into a complex, high-pressure marathon that values holistic identity over simple data.
Director of College Counseling, Mrs. Foy, has helped Seattle Prep students navigate the evolving college admissions process since 1991. She identified that there are three main ways in which college expectations have changed over time: standardized testing, contextual review and technology.
The most dramatic shift in the last 50 years is the decline of the standardized test as the ultimate gatekeeper: “Standardized tests, which used to be kind of a core factor in evaluating applications, are now not in the same way,” Foy notes that the pandemic acted as a permanent catalyst, citing that 96% of colleges have moved to test-optional policies. “While it has the potential to show the ability of students, it is also pretty inequitable… preparation for testing is expensive and not available to everyone.”
As testing receded, holistic review has taken center stage. Fifty years ago, the transcript and test scores were the undisputed core of an application. However, widespread grade inflation has made it difficult for colleges to distinguish between applicants based on a GPA alone.
“Evaluating the whole student beyond scores has become much more important,” Foy observed. Consequently, expectations have shifted toward a student’s individual context and character. Admissions officers now spend more time scrutinizing how a student challenged themselves within their specific environment, how they spent their time outside the classroom, and how their personal values align with the university’s mission than they ever have before.
Moreover, technology has created a volume crisis. Not long ago, essays and letters of recommendation were copied and mailed by hand; now, the ease of platforms such as the Common Application allows students to apply to dozens of schools. Universities across the country receive far more applications now, and it is harder to distinguish oneself in this larger pool. This has forced colleges to focus more heavily on yield, the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll, than they ever have in the past. This drive for certainty has led to a surge in binding Early Decision applications and many colleges looking for students who are more likely to choose their school rather than the students who are most qualified.
Despite these radical changes in evaluation, one pillar has remained constant over 50 years: the transcript. “The classes you take, how you challenge yourself and how you do in those classes- it’s still an essential piece of the review,” Foy concluded.
