Holistic Admissions Procedures

In June of 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the University of Michigan's undergraduate admissions process, which awarded more points for minorities than for some academic factors, was unconstitutional. As a result of that Supreme Court decision, the University of Michigan, along with a number of other universities, has implemented a 'holistic' application process for its undergraduate students that takes into account many factors in addition to test scores. These factors may include a student's class rank, intellectual interests, record of leadership, awards, extracurricular activities, work experience, socio-economic status of the family and school attended, as well as other factors.

The Committee on Admissions has been asked to consider changing the current standard for freshman admission from one that is derived statistically from standardized test scores and achievement in high school courses to one that is derived holistically via a process that takes multiple factors into account.

The attached links are for your information:

• Achieving Diversity in Higher Education (The College Board)
  
  
• At Boston U., 'Holistic' Admissions Venture Beyond Black and White - Struggle With Race Brings Scrutiny in U-Mich. Court Case (The Washington Post)
   
• Preserving Diversity In Higher Education: A Manual on Admissions Policies and Procedures After the University of Michigan Decisions (September 11, 2003)
  
  
• Reaffirming Diversity: A Legal Analysis of the University of Michigan Affirmative Action Cases (The Civil Rights Project, Harvard University)
  
  
• University of Michigan's Undergraduate Admissions 2003-2004
  

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