Parenting is a relentless journey, isn’t it? One moment, you’re teaching them to use the potty, and the next, they’re donning graduation caps. And let’s be honest—neither task is straightforward. Ask any parent of a teenager, and they’ll tell you that gearing up for college can be mentally and financially draining.
Are they enrolled in enough AP courses? What’s the impact of that B- in Physics? Should they take the SAT, the ACT, or both? And what about those pricey test prep classes—are they really worth it? Can we even afford them?
Amid all this anxiety over grades, test scores, and transcripts, one crucial question often gets overlooked: What kind of individuals are we raising? Are they compassionate and kind? Will they contribute positively to society, or are they merely high-achievers without empathy?
Fortunately, colleges are beginning to recognize that character should weigh as heavily in the admissions process as academic performance. A report titled Turning the Tide: Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good Through College Admissions was published in January by Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The lead author, Richard Weissbourd, emphasizes that many vital aspects of a student’s application are often ignored.
The report advocates for admissions committees to consider whether applicants are good citizens and how they contribute to their families and communities. Weissbourd and his team argue for a more holistic approach, even if it means placing less emphasis on AP classes or standardized test scores. “The admissions process should signal that concern for others and the common good are highly valued,” the report notes.
Alongside academic credentials, applicants should highlight their civic engagement—whether through volunteering, assisting at local organizations, or taking care of family members. Colleges should indeed be interested in these contributions because merely churning out a generation of overachievers devoid of altruism doesn’t bode well for our future.
Another important point in Weissbourd’s report is the inequity that arises when admissions focus solely on academics, favoring affluent students who typically have access to better resources. Consider a student like Alex from a nearby town who, instead of joining the math club, works part-time after school to support his family. Shouldn’t he have an equal shot at college? Increasingly, colleges are recognizing this disparity.
The report suggests that admissions applications should emphasize service and responsibility. Students should engage in “meaningful, sustained community service” that lasts at least a year, rather than just ticking off a box with minimal effort. The idea is to encourage genuine involvement that fosters personal growth.
Moreover, the report recommends prioritizing the quality of activities over their quantity. If a student participates in just one sport or club, they should articulate its significance in their lives—how it shaped their character, taught them leadership, or fostered teamwork.
The crux of the matter is getting a majority of colleges to embrace this new perspective. If institutions continue to cling to traditional metrics like grades and test scores, the emphasis on character and citizenship may not take root. However, if schools unite in this mission, it could lead to a more equitable and compassionate society.
Since the Harvard Graduate School of Education initiated this report, it appears they’re on board. According to The Washington Post, other prestigious universities like Yale and the University of Virginia are also aligned with this vision. Hopefully, this shift in admissions will gain momentum across the country.
As a parent gearing up to navigate the college application labyrinth in a few years, I genuinely hope this trend persists. While I want my kids to excel academically and fill their applications with impressive achievements, I also want them to be good people who care. I’m far more concerned about whether they lend a hand to someone in need than about their AP calculus grade.
It’s about time colleges recognize the importance of character and citizenship in the admissions equation.