Susan Lutz, College Consultant

One of the most common misconceptions I see in the college admission process is the belief that all colleges review applications the same way, or that there’s a “game” to winning admission.

In reality, colleges use different admission systems. Some rely on a rubric or criteria-based model, looking primarily for specific academic benchmarks such as GPA and when required or submitted, test scores. These benchmarks are often tied to institutional priorities, capacity, or specific colleges or majors within a university. If a student meets the criteria, admission may be automatic or highly likely. This approach allows schools, often larger or public institutions, to manage volume, ensure academic readiness, and offer students a more predictable admission outcome.

Other colleges use holistic admission, which is far more nuanced. Admission officers take a deep look at the transcript in context by examining the courses a student chose relative to what was offered at their high school, the level of rigor over time, and performance within those courses. Grades matter, but so does trajectory, balance, and alignment with a student’s stated interests or intended area of study. Many colleges also recalculate GPAs to evaluate applicants on a common scale.

In holistic review, essays and activities add important context. They help readers understand motivation, intellectual curiosity, leadership, and how a student engages with their community simply beyond what numbers alone can show. It’s important to understand that the transcript and grades remain the most critical components of an application; if a student does not meet a school’s academic standards, essays and activities may never be reviewed.

Families often assume there’s a strategy to “cracking” holistic review. The reality is that outcomes can vary year to year. If 100 applicants have nearly identical academic profiles and a college can admit only three more students, the question becomes: what makes you stand out? Holistic admission isn’t about gaming the system, rather it’s about presenting a clear, authentic story.

Understanding how colleges read applications matters just as much as where you apply.