<p>If universities did give an “explanation” as to why someone was rejected, I am skeptical that it would give that applicant any satisfaction. Then would then want explanations for the rationale for any of the subjective criteria, which is part of the “holistic” process. It’s impossible to keep subjectivity out of a score on an essay. There is no way to give prospective students a quantitative measurement to shoot for on something like an essay or leadership qualities or ECs which show not only quantity, but quality, or passion, or whatever it is they are looking for. So any “explanation” for rejection is still going to remain unclear. Giving rejects a bunch of numbers is not going to tell the tale. There will still be head scratching or gnashing of teeth, people who don’t “understand” their rejection in light of someone else’s acceptance.</p>