Historically, students perceived good grades as being the most critical factor to getting into an elite college/university. While grades are still critical in the college admissions process, universities have recently shifted their interest from solely how a student has performed in class to what a student is able to do outside of the walls of academia.
What does this mean to students in today’s competitive environment?
Skills/micro-credentials/certifications/etc. are becoming just as valuable as grades. This shift is based on the growing belief that having practical knowledge/ability is worth more than simply being able to recall information for a standardized exam.
One of the largest contributors to this shift has been the increased interest in having students with experience-based success as opposed to mere academic success. Universities are seeking applicants who can think outside the box, have an imaginative mind, and display a high level of inquisitiveness. An individual who has set up a web page, built a mobile app, conducted research, started a small enterprise, or dedicated time helping others has considerably more relevant ‘hands-on,’ practical experience than someone who has achieved the highest GPA.
An outstanding portfolio will be a great means of presenting one’s accomplishments. Unlike a gradesheet, the portfolio provides a glimpse into the student’s progression. The portfolio could hold anything from projects, internships, creative works, computer coding assignments, research papers, sample designs, videos, leadership endeavours and community service; thus, the portfolio allows admissions officers to better understand the students’ interests, commitment, and potential.
Skills have also become an important consideration for universities during the admission process. The skills that universities look for more than ever are good communication skills, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and flexibility. These skills are not always reflected through written exams but are instrumental in success in school and in one’s future career.
Certificates have also provided an excellent way for students to enhance their profile. There are many online platforms offering professional-level courses in areas of study such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing, finance, programming, graphic design, and entrepreneurship. Graduate recognition of successful completion of these otherwise distant education courses demonstrates responsibility and has created a motivation for future education inside or outside of the classroom.
The increase in interdisciplinary education is another reason for this transition. Institutions are now promoting students to look at multiple disciplines instead of restricting them to just one area of study (i.e., a student studying commerce with experience in coding and a student studying science with content creation experience). Both types of students bring their own unique skill sets to the classroom and enhance group learning through their experiences.
The holistic-style admissions process has been used by International Education (IE) institutions for several years, looking at a variety of criteria such as essays, extracurricular activities, references, interviews, and personal accomplishments, along with academic achievement; similar trends are being witnessed in some Indian institutions. Many are gradually starting to recognize that academic success can’t be measured solely on the basis of marks.
This isn’t to say that students should disregard their academic performance; in fact, good academic performance still reflects a level of discipline, consistency, and knowledge of subject matter. Rather, the changing nature of college admissions encourages students to create a “balanced” overall profile; the combination of exceptional academic performance with practical (or work) experience results in a much stronger application than each element considered separately.
The transition your teenager will hopefully experience from being assessed as a student to the development of their own personal life experiences can be aided by your involvement as a parent. There should be a major shift away from just reward based on test scores towards providing children with opportunities to pursue their interests by encouraging them to stay involved in their hobbies, extracurricular activities, taking online courses, volunteering, and/or finding employment on their own. All these activities provide the children with valuable experiences, which will allow them to discover their own strengths and develop their self-assurance, confidence, and skills for life.
Your child does need to be aware that it is more beneficial to possess something of great value rather than something lit Collecting lots of certificates without developing any real understanding provides minimal value to the student. Admissions personnel are more interested in the legitimate learning experiences that students have had and the true accomplishments that they have made rather than just marking boxes.
As admissions processes move toward more of a student-centric environment, there is an increased focus on the general development of the student rather than only using the single score from a standardized test. By using a thorough portfolio, relevant certifications, practical skills, and consistent academic performance, students can develop a well-rounded profile that provides evidence of both their potential to succeed and their readiness to attend a post-secondary institution.
Again, as the marketplace for education continues to change, students who spend their time and energy committing to their own learning and personal development will be more prepared for college admissions, as well as for their long-term success in their careers. While academic marks may provide the initial entrance to many post-secondary institutions, the continued emphasis on skills, portfolios, and certifications is providing students with the opportunity to confidently use their academic marks to enter many of these institutions.
(The author is CEO, Global Education Mentor, AAera)
