From Formulas to Stories: How College Admissions Changed
- Lynn Hofstad
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Updated: May 1
When I was searching for colleges, the flagship university in my state, the University of Washington, essentially used a chart to determine admissions. Admission officers consulted the chart that had test scores along the y-axis and GPA on the x-axis. Trace your finger from each axis and where your fingers meet was your score for admissions. Students could go to the high school counselor at my school and figure out whether or not they would be accepted based on the score they received on the chart. That isn't the case any more. In 2005, UW switched to holistic review for their application process. This shift highlights the difference between the two different types of processes colleges use for their admissions determinations—formulaic and holistic.
Formulaic Admissions
Formulaic admissions sets a standard and anyone who meets that standard is accepted. Rick Clark, Undergraduate Admissions Director at George Tech, likens it to the high jump. Each college sets the bar at a particular height and students have to get themselves over that bar to be accepted. Whether students use (a metaphorical) Fosbury Flop or Western Roll doesn't matter, as long as they clear the bar. (As a former high school high jumper, I love this analogy). The standards for the height of the bar are determined by a pre-set formula. While the number needed for admission might change, the formula remains the same.
For example, the state of Iowa uses the Regent Admission Index to determine a student's score for admission to all its public universities. As of 2026, Iowa students achieving a RAI of at least 245 automatically gain admission to a state university.*
With formulaic admissions, students have a clear set of guidelines that tell them whether or not they will gain admission.** You might notice that the standards are based solely on academic measures, not activities, individual circumstances or extracurriculars.
Holistic Admissions
Holistic admissions, on the other hand, considers more than just academics when considering whether to admit a student. While GPA and test scores are considered in determining admissions, other factors also play a role. For example:
Rigor: Consider two students, each with a 4.0 GPA. Student One took the required classes, but the easiest option available at each level. Student Two took multiple AP classes and went beyond the basic required classes, progressing in level as far as they could in each subject. In a holistic review process, the second student will be viewed more favorably.
High School Context: Not every high school offers AP classes. Similarly, some advanced level classes simply aren't offered in many high schools. For example, calculus, often seen as a necessity for selective college admission, is offered only at about half of high schools in the United States. Holistic review evaluates what resources and opportunities a student has available at their high school, instead of merely seeking a list of challenging courses.
Extra Curriculars: Does a student show interest in activities outside of academics? Are they in sports? Do they show leadership in clubs? Holistic review looks at the whole of the high school experience rather than just the academic output.
Each college that utilizes holistic review considers different criteria. Usually the college's website will give a general overview of what they consider during their review. That said, the holistic process is inherently subjective since admission isn't determined simply by an objective metric.
Why Would a College Using Formulaic Admissions Switch to Holistic?
There are a number of reasons why a college might switch from formulaic to holistic. Some reasons are more complex than others.
Too many qualified students
Many schools adopt a holistic approach when they have more qualified applicants than available spots in their incoming freshman class. With the increase in applications submitted by each student, some schools simply can't accept every qualified student. Georgia Tech is a great example of how a rise in applications drove a change in admissions approach. In 2003, through formulaic review, Georgia Tech accepted 62% of the 8,500 students who applied. As STEM majors became more popular, applications to George Tech increased (while their student body numbers remained the same). In 2013, the number of applicants rose to 17,600 and the admission rate dropped to 41% (The Truth About College Admission, 129-130). By 2016, there were simply too many qualified applicants to use a formula to determine admission. They needed a more nuanced and contextual approach and switched to holistic admissions.
Testing Conundrums
When half the the formula is determined by standardized test scores, it is problematic when students can't take the test. This was the issue during the 2020 pandemic. When testing centers shut down and there was nowhere for students to take the SAT or ACT, many universities switched to "test optional." With no test numbers to punch into the formula, the formula broke down.
Another persistent issue with testing is the advantage of wealth. There is a proven correlation between higher test scores and higher family income. Relying heavily on test scores for student admissions inherently advantages wealthier students. Some schools have switched to holistic admissions in an attempt to "level the playing field" for students from low-income backgrounds.
Increasing Diversity
Given the inequities in the availability of rigorous curriculum for low-income and rural students, as well as the inequities of standardized test outcomes, some schools have switched to holistic admissions to be able to contextualize a student's
experience. This enables schools to increase the diversity of the student body by admitting more students from demographics historically underrepresented in higher education.
Bottom Line
Knowing whether the college you are applying to uses holistic or formulaic admissions is an important piece of knowledge. If the college uses a formula, do you meet the admissions standard, or will you have to apply to be considered on a case-by-case basis? If the college uses holistic review, ensure that your application demonstrates high standards in all areas of your high school career, not just your GPA and test scores.
*Some colleges within the UI have more stringent RAI standards, but a score of 245 will gain admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UI.
**Â As long as they are Iowa residents. Another example of different standards for residents and non-residents in college admissions.