The U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision Will Affect College Admissions Decisions

On June 23, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld its previous rulings that colleges and universities have the right to consider diversity and to include race as a factor in its holistic review process. The Court’s decision empowers colleges and universities to promote both equity and excellence by reducing the role of test scores and other quantitative factors and focusing more on students’ character, qualitative attributes and what I have coined their “WOW Factor”.

Holistic admissions practices involve a comprehensive review of each applicant’s full portfolio, including such factors as high school academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, and family background. This means for many students and their parents who believe that top grades, perfect standardized test scores, the usual music and art awards, the list of perceived amazing extracurricular activities, and the standard school-sponsored volunteerism coupled with their all-new “create my own philanthropic organization” will be stunned when they receive their early action and regular decision results.

Consider the following:

• More and more applicants who sound exactly alike on paper are applying to Ivy League and highly competitive schools.
• The number of coveted spots remains relatively constant as the number of domestic as well as international students from similar demographics applying to these coveted spots increases.
• Colleges and universities are striving to identify and accept talented individuals from typically underrepresented demographics.

You can bet there will an increased number of surprise rejections this year.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group. and co-founder of College Application Rejected. New Jersey Admissions Advisors, Fort Lee and Princeton, NY: (201) 490-1037

Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group headquartered in Woodbridge, CT has offices in Greenwich, CT; White Plains and Manhattan, NY; Fort Lee and Princeton, New Jersey and Boston. Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for families and students who are interested in applying to and experiencing the unique educational environment and communities of Ivy League and highly selective colleges and elite private day and boarding schools.