Alternative Admissions Practices

Alternative admissions encompass a broad range of practices used by universities to make student selection decisions. While traditional admissions have historically included a relatively limited number of indices most typically captured by standardized test scores and high school grades, alternative practices often consider a broader set of criteria. In general, the intent of such practices is to diversify an admitted student body in ways not achieved through traditional admission practices; they serve as a way not only to review the merits of individual applicants but also to consider comprehensively the composition of an admitted class. The specific form of implementation that alternative practices take, however, is driven by a number of influences, including institution-specific mission, as well as state, federal, and constitutional guidelines. While many ...