Exploring Holistic Admissions at Colorado State University

Carlos Jimenez, Associate Director Freshman InitiativesRenee Orlick, Director of Operations

CSU Class Profile (Freshmen)Typical incoming student F’11 (mid 50%)

GPA: 3.29-3.9 (Average 3.59)ACT Composite: 22-27 (Average 24.7)SAT Combined: 1050-1240 (Average 1145)

• From 49 states and more than 80 countries • Colorado residents comprise 76% of all students • 19 percent of domestic students are ethnic minorities

(difference of 111 over last year). • Entering freshman class of 4,504 students • Approximately 17,000 applications• Approximately an 82% admission rate

Holistic Admission

• What comes to mind?

What it means to review holistically

• Take “non-traditional factors” into account, not just grades, scores and curriculum minimums

• Consider that different students bring different strengths to the classroom, some of which are not yet evident

• Assess the difference between a student’s choices and opportunities

• Select a person, not just a student• As much about recruitment as selection

What are “the right” approaches?

• Admit students based on future potential, not just past performance

• Carry out a system that is as consistent as possible• Recognize that “objectivity” is elusive at best• Shape a class to fit the institution’s mission• Don’t penalize students for things they cannot control• Know the student’s “local context”• Assess and refine process each year

College Ratings of the Importance of Various Factors in the Admission Decision: Fall 2010

FactorConsiderable importance Moderate importance Limited importance No importance

Grades in college prep courses 83.4% 12.3% 2.7% 1.6%

Strength of curriculum 65.7 25.7 4.7 3.9Admission test scores (SAT, ACT) 59.3 29.4 7.0 4.3

Grades in all courses 46.2 42.1 10.2 1.6Essay or writing sample 26.6 33.0 22.9 17.6Student’s demonstrated interest 23.0 30.9 26.6 19.5

Class rank 21.8 37.2 25.9 15.0Counselor recommendation 19.4 45.0 23.1 12.4

Teacher recommendation 19.0 44.2 24.5 12.3

Subject test scores (AP, IB) 9.6 32.4 32.6 25.3

Interview 9.2 22.7 33.0 35.2Extracurricular activities 7.4 42.3 35.1 15.2Portfolio 5.9 12.9 32.9 48.2SAT II scores 5.3 11.8 24.9 58.0State graduation exam scores 4.2 14.0 28.5 53.4

Work 1.9 20.3 47.2 30.6

SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2010

Factors Showing Most Change in “Considerable Importance” Rating: 1993 to 2010

SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2010

Holistic Admission at Colorado State

• Each applicant receives a holistic review by one or more admissions staff members who assess academic rigor and performance and personal qualities.

• Applicants who meet state and institutional admissions standards are considered priority candidates for admission.

• Applicants who do not meet the priority consideration standards still are considered for admission; files are reviewed by an admissions committee.

Holistic Admission: Academics

• Minimum six semesters• GPA, class size and class rank• SAT and/or ACT results – Written sections not used

• Academic rigor (completed and proposed)

• Priority Consideration Factors and state requirements• Trends in grades – Explanation of discrepancies/deficiencies ?

• Major requested (competitive, non-traditional, under-represented)

• Special academic circumstances • e.g., learning disability, early graduate, homeschool, non-

traditional, GED, portfolio

Holistic Admission: Academics• Emphasis on the high school curriculum- both the number of

courses completed and the academic rigor of those courses.– Priority Consideration is given to freshman applicants with a

minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale) and completion of the following:

• The state of Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements are a subset of these core subjects

English Units

Mathematics Units

Natural Science Units

Social Studies Units

Other

1 unit equals 1 year of course work.

4 4 Must include

Algebra I, Algebra II, and

Geometry

3 Two of which

must be lab-based

3 One of which must be U.S.

history or world civilization

2 Units of the same foreign language

2 Academic electives

Holistic Admission: Personal Qualities

• Colorado State University recognizes that academic preparation may take several forms

• We endorse the belief that non-academic factors, personal characteristics and individual experiences are important and positive for the campus community.

• Personal statement/essay, activities list, academic explanation, recommendation(s) offer broader view

Holistic Admission: Personal Qualities

• Activities with particular emphasis on leadership and service• Ability to contribute to diverse campus community (e.g.,

personal background/experience, special talent)• Examples of maturity, focus, motivation, readiness for

academic and non-academic aspects of college transition• Extenuating circumstances and demonstrated ability to

overcome obstacles or adversity• Student’s understanding of self related to learning or other

disability• Growth and understanding gained from criminal or

disciplinary issues

Holistic Admission: The Process

• We review 900-1200 files a week• Committee reviews 100-200 files a week• Recommendations for deny receive at least

one further review• Students can ask for reconsideration and

submit additional academic information

Holistic Admission in Action

• Your turn!– 3 Real applications to Colorado State

– Review the information

– Discuss strengths and weaknesses of each applicant– Would you Admit or Deny to the University?– We’ll discuss the candidates as a group and test

your holistic savvy

AngelinaBiological Science

3.56 weighted GPASchool does not rank

ACT Comp 23Eng 24Math 20Read 23Sci 23

√ 4 units of English√ 4 units of Math√ 3 Natural Sciences√ 3 Social Sciences√ 2 Foreign Language√ 2 Academic Electives

Angelina’s Essay

Angelina’s recommendations

Angelina’s Recommendations cont’d

Angelina’s recommendations cont’d

Angelina- addt’l info

Decision Time

• Strengths• Concerns• Additional Comments• Recommendation• Outcome?

An easy one!

MatthewUndeclared3.17 weighted GPA121/485 75 %2.69 uw GPA168/485 65 %

ACT Comp30Eng 26Math 30Read 33Sci 29

√ 4 units of English√ 4 units of Math√ 3 Natural Sciences√ 3 Social Sciences√ 2 Foreign Language√ 2 Academic Electives

Matthew- addt’l academic info

Matthew’s EssayI’ve been described as an interesting, intelligent, and kind person. I come from a good family, with supportive parents and an older brother who has already graduated from CSU. I want to go to college to show my family what I’m capable of and to follow in my brother’s footsteps. If I can go to college and get my degree I will be able to get a good job and make money, but I’ll also be able to consider myself an equal to my brother. As far as the economy goes, going to college is practically the only sure way to get a well paying job so that people can effectively take care of themselves. I want to gain my independence from my parents and take care of myself.I spend my time as a technician for Drama club for my school, participating in DECA for my school which involves competing and preparing for competitions, and in Pre-Collegiate Development Program (PCDP) to learn how to be successful in college. As a technician for Drama club I build the sets for the school plays, but now that I’m a senior I also have a responsibility to direct and teach the newer technicians. Teaching the new technicians gives me a chance to connect better with them so that we work well together and to share my love of building with someone else. This has improved my communication skills and patience, both of which will be of some use for me at CSU. I’ve always enjoyed building the sets for the school, knowing that every time someone goes to see the show, they were looking at something I helped create. I now look forward to using the skills I’ve developed once I get to CSU. PCDP has help prepared me for college that I feel confident that I’ll be able to do well, along with making me more outgoing so that I’ll be able to socially interact with other students at college. We even took a retreat up into the mountains to a camp called Balarat. At Balarat the PCDP staff led us through activities designed to force us out of our shells and to socialize with the other juniors in the PCDP program. Through this program I have made many friends and now the social skills to make many more. During PCDP’s summer program I had the chance to take a few actual college classes and experience college firsthand. I learned what I’m truly capable of during the program and that I’m ready for college. I do very well in comprehending both science and math at school and I will definitely pursue a career in either subject. I did very well in both of these subjects because I have a natural aptitude for them. I also do well in English but do not plan on pursuing a career in the field of writing because I don’t enjoy it as much as working with math and science.

Matthews Recommendation

Additional Info- Matthew

Decision Time

• Strengths• Concerns• Additional Comments• Recommendation• Guess Matthew’s Index

124!

DenzelPerforming Arts/Dance3.36 weighted GPA157/375 58 %3.11 uw GPA137/395 65 %

ACT Comp19Eng 19Math 17Read 21Sci 19

√ 4 units of English√ 4 units of Math√ 3 Natural Sciences√ 3 Social Sciences√ 2 Foreign Language√ 2 Academic Electives

Denzel- addt’l academic info

Academic Explanation

My Junior year in high school, my grades dropped/ They suffered because I was going through sever family problems and social anxiety. During this time, I was dealing with my family and friends accepting my sexuality. This caused my grades to suffer because it trapped me in a depressed state of mind.

Denzel-Essaypage 1

Denzel- Essay p 2

Denzel- recommendation

Denzel- recommendations cont’d

Denzel’s recommendationscont’d

Denzel- Additional Info

Decision Time

• Strengths• Concerns• Additional Comments• Recommendation• What did the Committee do?

ADMIT