Holistic Approaches
Marketing often suggests that academic institutions value quantitative assessments such as GPA and standardized exam scores. These are considered predictors for success in students. But, applicants widely understand that holistic forms of evaluation are valid for candidates in applications. So, how can we account for these differences? What should universities consider when it comes to performance in school and how we can accept students?
Essay Content Can Indicate SES
In a Stanford study of 60,000 undergraduate applications to the University of Southern California, content written in the personal statements/ essays of applicants were better predictors of socioeconomic status and influence than SAT scores. That might seem obvious. The SAT has recently gone under fire for being a predictor of wealth, more so than a predictor of competence. The study further demonstrated that essays with more content on “human nature” and “seeking answers” tended to be written by applicants with higher reported SES statuses. In contrast, essays with more content about “time management” and family relationships tended to be written by students with lower SES statuses. This correlation shows that certain essay topics may be the framework for recruiting students from a range of backgrounds. Some colleges and universities have begun to account for this impact and consider it in assessing college applications.
A Personal Approach to Success
A metaanalysis of research papers studied the relationship between socioeconomic status and success in college. They summarized some remarkable learnings. For example, research suggests the importance of social support in success for Latino students such as believing in one’s ability to perform in college. More specifically, believing in one’s capacity as a learner, being excited about learning, and feeling cared about as a student and a person. Many papers suggest that historically underrepresented students, or those from low SES, encounter challenges when they get to college. These make it difficult for them to take advantage of their school’s resources for learning and personal development. This challenge begins when applying for colleges, as students self-select in and out of opportunities they may not feel adequate for, even though their holistic applications may suggest otherwise.
How College Can Influence Your Future
The topic of socioeconomic status and how it influences applications is very important. SES impacts beyond college itself. Over the course of an individual college graduate’s lifetime, some studies suggest, they will make 1 million dollars more than an individual who has not graduated from college.
