That appears to be a HOLISTIC approach to admissions. And yes, certain majors fill up quickly, while others (or undecided students) do not. Space is an issue - in majors and pre-majors, as well as housing. But when space is an issue, WHAT do you think they’re looking at?
Your stats look great, @lai18972, but since I don’t work in admissions and have been through the process myself, and I see students with less stellar numbers, my ONLY reasoning can be that it’s HOLISTIC. They are looking at the whole application, not just numbers, and seeing how well YOU will fit in to THEIR campus.
There’s no arguing on my side. The admissions, denials, waitlists, and deferrals speak for themselves, and actually seem to back me up.
Now, would you like to continue debating this, or actually let people post about what they’re supposed to post about on this thread? Because frankly, your posts are tired.
@Oneiota GPA and test scores do not reflect on one’s personality/character, which is exemplified through essays and such I am not trying to mean, I am speaking the truth. College admission is SO MUCH more than just academics. For the record, taking out any frustrations you may have on this website is not the place to do so. Yes I understand the housing deal that has been going on. Still, it does not change the fact that OSU uses a HOLISTIC approach. HOLISTIC is so much more than just test scores. The university truly is looking for people who are so much more than just a test score. EC’s and leadership skills show more of someone’s character than just getting a very high ACT score. Yes, it does suck that someone with a very high ACT score may get rejected, but I am not an employee in the admissions office so I cannot explain it from that end. But, as I have said before, these things work out and EVERYONE here will end up attending a fantastic school no matter what, and will do GREAT things. And for the record, a 25 ACT IS something to rejoice about
Here is the rub, they can say they are applying a Holistic approach all they want. It’s about the numbers first and foremost and to think otherwise renders you so naive that this argument is absurd. If you DON’T have the GPA and SAT/ACT scores let’s say for Fisher I don’t care how many clubs you belonged to, how many baby seals you saved or how many leadership examples you have on your essay. In all likelihood you’re not getting in. And when space fills up even higher qualified candidates don’t get in.
And let me ask you Bucks under the criteria for admission link you provided what were the first two criteria after meeting minimum requirements? I’ll save you the trouble of looking…GPA and SAT/ACT.
@Oneiota All in all this forum has strayed far from its original purpose. I am sure people don’t want to come on here and see people arguing about something that cannot be changed. With that being said, let us let the forum return to its original purpose: to discuss admissions decisions, not try and determine how the office of admission works. When I say holistic, it is the COMBINATION of having those GPA/ACTs/SATs with the ECs, leadership, essays, and whatnot. Quite frankly, I just do not appreciate how this debate has been approached. It has gone from talking about waitlists and rejections to practically insulting those who got in with their “subpar test scores”. In the end, we cannot change the mind of the admissions office. Good day to you and I wish you luck at whatever school you choose, seeing as that you did get into some fantastic schools.
If you really believe that competiveness of your high school and first generation student are on par with the SAT/ACT and GPA then there is nothing to discuss. Ohio State has made a concerted attempt to raise their level of accepted applicants and improve their overall scores. They use objective criteria to advertise this in 50% GPA average and standardized tests. No one is faulting them for this desire. Rather that timing, class size, housing, yield and other factors impacted decisions…not the holistic approach for the most part. I believe that to be true and unless they start accentuating how many 1st generation students they accept instead of average SAT score I’ll remain steadfast in that belief.
Posing a question - Those who were Direct Admit to Fisher College for 2017 -2018 admissions, what was the required ACT, SAT and GPA by Fisher for Direct Admit?
Update: I got accepted off the waitlist today!! Management and Industry exploration. (Applied business undecided) 3.4 GPA, 25 ACT, In state. Post #1712
I am not trying to mean, I am speaking the truth. College admission is SO MUCH more than just academics. For the record, taking out any frustrations you may have on this website is not the place to do so. Yes I understand the housing deal that has been going on. Still, it does not change the fact that OSU uses a HOLISTIC approach. HOLISTIC is so much more than just test scores. The university truly is looking for people who are so much more than just a test score. EC’s and leadership skills show more of someone’s character than just getting a very high ACT score. Yes, it does suck that someone with a very high ACT score may get rejected, but I am not an employee in the admissions office so I cannot explain it from that end. But, as I have said before, these things work out and EVERYONE here will end up attending a fantastic school no matter what, and will do GREAT things. And for the record, a 25 ACT IS something to rejoice about