In the shifting landscape of college admissions, many institutions are moving away from standardized test scores and other traditional benchmarks. This trend signals a growing desire to evaluate applicants more holistically. But in the absence of clear alternatives, what should take the place of these conventional metrics?
To answer that, perhaps it's time to look toward insights from K–12 education that higher ed has yet to fully explore.
K–12 systems have long gathered nuanced student data to support learning and growth. Yet, many of these valuable insights are rarely considered in college admissions decisions. Data like attendance trends, behavioral consistency, and student engagement can help surface a more complete picture of a student’s potential.
For instance:
These details might seem granular at first glance, but together, they can form a powerful narrative of who a student is and who they’re becoming.
Traditionally, “initiative” in admissions has meant launching a club, leading a project, or winning a competition. But that’s a narrow lens—and one that often favors access and visibility over effort and intention.
Today’s students are building, contributing, and growing in ways that don’t always fit neatly into a Common App activity box. It’s time to expand how we define and recognize initiative.
Consider:
Modern initiative doesn’t always look like a résumé bullet—it may look like a GitHub repo, a YouTube channel, a Canva-built portfolio, or a social media business or following. As admissions evolves, so should our methods of surfacing and valuing these efforts.
By broadening the definition of initiative, we can better recognize the full spectrum of student ambition—especially in an era where learning and leadership often happen beyond traditional structures.
As generative AI tools become more widely used, particularly for writing assistance, the traditional essay may lose some of its value in gauging authenticity. This raises a timely question: could video responses offer more clarity?
Short, recorded videos can allow students to speak in their own voice, sharing insights about their passions, problem-solving approaches, or life experiences. When implemented equitably and thoughtfully, video responses or presentations could serve as a more immediate and personal touchpoint—particularly for assessing communication skills and genuine interest.
Of course, any new tool comes with considerations around access, time, and scalability. But as the digital landscape evolves, it's worth asking how we might blend traditional application components with more modern, multimodal formats.
The evolving admissions process presents a real opportunity: to redefine what matters, and how we see student potential. By borrowing more from the K–12 world—and asking new questions about effort, initiative, and learning journeys—we can build admissions models that are both more equitable and more insightful.
This isn’t about abandoning data. It’s about using the right data—the kind that tells a fuller, truer story of who a student is and what they’re capable of becoming.
If you’re interested in learning how SchooLinks’ work with districts can expand your student insights, meet with our team today.