Devon Blog

Tag: top colleges

  • What Is Holistic Admissions—and Does It Help or Hurt Me?

    Each year, students with near-perfect test scores and glowing transcripts are rejected from top colleges. Meanwhile, others with slightly lower scores are admitted. If you’ve ever wondered how that happens, the answer lies in a concept called holistic admissions.

    But what does that really mean—and should you be excited or concerned about it?

    What Holistic Admissions Actually Means

    In a holistic admissions process, colleges evaluate the whole student—not just academic stats. That includes:

    • GPA and course rigor
    • Standardized test scores (if submitted)
    • Extracurricular activities
    • Personal essays
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Interviews
    • Background, life experiences, and context

    Rather than filtering candidates by a numerical threshold, admissions teams aim to understand how a student might contribute to the campus community as a whole person.

    Why Colleges Use This Approach

    Highly selective colleges often receive more qualified applicants than they can accept. Holistic review allows them to:

    • Assess character and potential, not just achievement
    • Diversify the student body by admitting those with unique stories or challenges
    • Value impact and initiative even if a student’s context limited access to resources

    In short, two students with the same GPA might receive different decisions based on how they got there—and what else they bring to the table.

    What Holistic Review Looks Like

    Let’s compare two fictional applicants to understand this approach:

    Applicant A:

    • 4.0 GPA
    • 1580 SAT
    • Captain of debate team
    • Volunteer hours
    • Generic essay about “working hard”

    Applicant B:

    • 3.8 GPA
    • 1460 SAT
    • Started a tutoring nonprofit
    • Works 20 hours/week to support family
    • Candid essay about resilience

    Who gets in? It depends on the school—but in a holistic process, Applicant B might have a strong edge. Admissions officers may view their accomplishments as more impressive, given the circumstances.

    Does Holistic Help or Hurt You?

    It helps students who:

    • Come from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds
    • Have strong personal stories, leadership, or impact
    • Are late bloomers or had inconsistent transcripts due to valid reasons
    • Shine in interviews or essays

    It may frustrate students who:

    • Focused solely on academic perfection
    • Don’t have strong non-academic narratives
    • Feel “penalized” for coming from resource-rich schools without standing out

    But here’s the key: holistic review doesn’t ignore numbers—it adds dimension to them.

    So, How Do You Stand Out?

    1. Craft an authentic personal story in your essays.
    2. Pursue depth in your extracurriculars, not just breadth.
    3. Explain challenges honestly if they’ve shaped your academic path.
    4. Get strong letters from people who know you well.
    5. Be intentional about how each piece of your application fits together.

    🎓 Talk to Someone Who Just Did It—Successfully

    Want to know how students are navigating holistic admissions right now? At Pathways, we connect you with students who got accepted into top colleges in the past 12 months.

    Ask them:

    • What parts of their story mattered most?
    • What mistakes they avoided?
    • How they shaped a compelling narrative?

    👉 Book a consult with a recent admit — your first session is platform-fee-free.

    Holistic admissions isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about telling your story with clarity and confidence.

  • Test-Optional, Test-Flexible, Test-Blind—What Colleges Actually Mean

    Over the past few years, the rules of standardized testing in college admissions have changed dramatically. Once a cornerstone of the application process, the SAT and ACT are no longer required at thousands of colleges. But with new terms like test-optional, test-flexible, and test-blind appearing on admissions sites, families are left asking: what do these really mean?

    Let’s break it down.

    What Is “Test-Optional”?

    Test-optional colleges allow applicants to decide whether to submit standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit scores, your application will still be considered complete and you won’t be penalized.

    Key Details:

    • Strong GPA, coursework, and extracurriculars become more important.
    • Test scores can still help you—especially if they’re above average for that school.
    • Some scholarships or honors programs may still require test scores.

    Who Should Submit Scores?
    Applicants whose scores enhance their academic profile—especially if they’re applying to selective programs or come from underrepresented schools.

    What Is “Test-Flexible”?

    Test-flexible colleges offer students multiple options: instead of requiring SAT or ACT, they may accept alternative assessments like:

    • AP or IB exam scores
    • Subject tests (less common now)
    • Graded academic papers

    Key Details:

    • Often seen at liberal arts colleges.
    • Emphasizes a student’s ability to demonstrate academic readiness in varied ways.

    Should You Still Take the SAT/ACT?
    Yes, if you can do well. It gives you one more opportunity to stand out, especially in a pool of high-achieving applicants.

    What Is “Test-Blind”?

    Test-blind colleges do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all—even if you submit them.

    Key Details:

    • Admissions decisions rely entirely on other parts of your application: grades, essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and interviews.
    • Very few colleges follow this model—currently, some University of California campuses are test-blind.

    Is This Good for Applicants?
    It depends. While test-blind policies remove pressure around scores, they also place greater weight on GPA, course rigor, and qualitative elements like your essays and story.

    Why This Matters Now

    The shift in testing policy was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made test access harder. But what began as a temporary adjustment is quickly becoming the new normal. According to FairTest, over 1,900 U.S. colleges are test-optional or test-blind for 2025 admissions.

    However, many schools—especially competitive ones—still favor strong test scores when submitted. Students applying without scores need to ensure the rest of their application tells a compelling and complete story.

    Key Takeaways

    PolicyAccept Scores?Required?Considers Scores if Sent?
    Test-OptionalYesNoYes
    Test-FlexibleYes (or other)NoYes
    Test-BlindNoNoNo

    📣 Don’t Navigate This Alone—Talk to Someone Who Just Did It

    The rules are changing fast. What worked five years ago might not work today. At Pathways, we connect you with students who just went through this process and got accepted into top colleges.

    They can tell you exactly:

    • Whether they submitted test scores
    • How they made the decision
    • What worked—and what they’d do differently

    👉 Book a consult now — your first session is platform-fee-free.

    Make smarter decisions, get insider context, and build your admissions edge with real insight from real students.

  • Sports vs. Academics: Which Path Gives You Better Odds for Elite College Admissions?

    1. The Myth of the Athletic Shortcut: Why Elite College Sports Admissions Are Tougher Than You Think
    2. Sports vs. Academics: Which Path Gives You Better Odds for Elite College Admissions?
    3. Should You Bet on Sports for College Admissions? A Realistic Guide for Parents and Students

    When evaluating strategies for college admissions, many high-achieving families wonder whether it’s better to focus on academics or athletics. Here’s a data-backed comparison.

    Top colleges evaluate thousands of applicants with perfect GPAs, high SAT scores, and leadership in extracurriculars. The academic route is highly competitive, but also widely accessible. With the right planning, course selection, and extracurricular profile, students can optimize their chances significantly.

    By contrast, athletic recruitment offers a more defined but narrow path. Athletes with national rankings, tournament wins, or regional MVP status may receive coach interest, but recruiting timelines are early and unforgiving. Plus, competition is intense.

    Data Snapshot:

    • Recruited athletes make up 4% to 8% of each entering class at most elite schools.
    • Academic admissions pools are 10x larger, giving academically strong students more opportunities across many schools.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Academic paths offer broader reach and higher flexibility.
    • Sports can differentiate a candidate, but are not a guaranteed path unless you’re elite.

  • The 25 Most Important Questions Parents Ask on the Road to Elite College Admissions

    A guide for families with high-achieving students who want every advantage—without the guesswork.

    For parents of high-performing students, the high school years aren’t just about grades and report cards—they’re the foundation of a college journey that can open doors for a lifetime. But what should that journey look like?

    The truth is, most families find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of decisions: Which classes matter most? What kind of extracurriculars make a difference? Is a summer program really necessary? And when is too early—or too late—to begin preparing?

    At Pathways, we’ve listened closely to thousands of questions from families just like yours. The list below reflects the 25 most frequently asked—and most impactful—questions parents ask as their children prepare for competitive college admissions.

    Whether your student is aiming for the Ivy League, a BS/MD program, or simply looking to maximize their potential, these are the questions that matter.

    Academic Planning

    1. What courses should my child take in high school to be competitive for Ivy League or top-tier colleges?
    Elite colleges want to see rigor. That means the most challenging course load your school offers, especially in core subjects.

    2. Is it better to take an AP course and get a B, or take a regular class and get an A?
    This is one of the most nuanced tradeoffs. We break down how admissions teams actually interpret this.

    3. Should my child prioritize honors or dual-enrollment courses over APs?
    Not all course types are viewed equally—context and academic goals matter.

    4. How early should my child start taking advanced math or science?
    STEM-oriented students should plan their trajectories from 8th or 9th grade onward.

    5. Is class rank or GPA more important?
    The answer depends heavily on your school’s profile and how it’s perceived by colleges.

    6. Will fewer APs at my child’s school hurt their chances?
    Admissions offices evaluate students within the context of their school’s offerings.

    7. Should we consider transferring to a better-resourced or less competitive school?
    This is a growing trend. We explore the strategy and tradeoffs of such a move.

    8. What electives should my child choose to demonstrate intellectual curiosity?
    Colleges appreciate intellectual depth, especially when it aligns with a student’s intended major.

    Testing Strategy

    9. Should my child still take the SAT or ACT even if schools are test-optional?
    Test-optional doesn’t mean test-ignored—especially for top schools and merit aid.

    10. When should standardized test prep begin?
    Timing is everything—especially if you’re aiming for National Merit or early decision.

    11. Does the PSAT matter?
    Only for some students—but it can be the gateway to significant scholarships.

    12. Should my student submit AP scores or SAT Subject Test alternatives?
    Even post-subject-tests, APs can fill a similar role in demonstrating academic strength.

    Extracurriculars and Summer Planning

    13. What extracurriculars actually matter to top schools?
    Depth, impact, and alignment matter more than a crowded resume.

    14. Is it better to be well-rounded or develop a “spike”?
    Colleges are building a well-rounded class—not seeking only well-rounded individuals.

    15. Are expensive summer programs necessary?
    Some are resume-polishers. Others are life-changing. We’ll show you how to tell the difference.

    16. What counts more: leadership or competition results?
    Both show initiative, but in different ways. It depends on your student’s story.

    17. How can my child find research or internship opportunities in high school?
    You don’t need Ivy League connections—just the right strategies.

    Strategic Planning

    18. When should we begin planning for college admissions?
    The short answer: earlier than you think. We lay out a grade-by-grade roadmap.

    19. How do we build strong recommendation relationships?
    Top colleges rely on these letters to understand what a transcript can’t say.

    20. How should my child develop a compelling narrative?
    It’s not just what they do—it’s how it all fits together. The “application arc” matters.

    21. What are the biggest mistakes high-achieving students make?
    We outline the common pitfalls that derail even the most promising applications.

    22. Should we hire an admissions counselor?
    We break down when families benefit most from outside help—and how to choose the right kind.

    How Pathways Helps

    Unlike other platforms where you’re assigned an advisor, Pathways puts the power in your hands. You describe your challenge or question, and we match you with multiple peer advisors who’ve just gone through the same journey—and succeeded. You get to pick who to talk to. Want more than one perspective? Go ahead.

    With advisors who’ve gained admission to Harvard, MIT, Stanford, BS/MD programs, and more, Pathways is built for smart, driven families who want transparency, choice, and insight.

    🎯 Tap into Pathways to prepare you College Readiness plan

    This article is just the beginning. Get started with posing your questions, and one or more Pathways advisors can chip in with their inputs.

    👉 Simply ask your questions to an advisor
    👉 Or Book a consultation session with a Pathways Peer Advisor