What Does “Holistic Admissions” Actually Mean?

“Holistic admissions” gets tossed around a lot in med school circles. But what does it really mean, and how do schools actually evaluate you?

According to the AAMC, holistic review means “mission-aligned admissions” where schools consider an applicant’s experiences, attributes, and academic metrics in balance. The goal is to look beyond numbers and assess the whole applicant.

Sounds great, right? But it can still feel vague. Here’s how to make sense of it—and use it to your advantage.

1. Your Stats Still Matter

Holistic does not mean your GPA and MCAT are ignored. Most schools use filters to manage the volume of applicants. If your stats fall below a school’s 10th percentile, your application may never be read.

That doesn’t mean you need perfection. But you should apply strategically. Use the MSAR database to compare your stats with each school’s accepted ranges.

2. Your Story Can Fill the Gaps

This is where holistic review helps. Admissions committees want to know:

• How did you earn those grades?
  
  
• Why did you pursue your chosen activities?
  
  
• What did you learn from research, volunteering, or clinical work?
  
  

It’s about context. A compelling story can explain a lower GPA or show how setbacks led to deeper motivation.

3. Reflection Counts More Than Hours

It's not just about how much you did, but how deeply you understood it. Listing 200 hours in an ER doesn't mean much on its own. What matters is what you took away from those hours. What challenged you? What surprised you? How did it shape your view of medicine?

Think of your activities as the “why” behind your journey—not just a checklist, but evidence of growth, curiosity, and commitment. Holistic review rewards applicants who can connect the dots between what they did and who they are becoming.

4. Tell a Cohesive Story

Your personal statement, activity descriptions, secondary essays, and interview answers should all point to the same message: this is who I am and this is why medicine.

Admissions committees are trying to understand you as a future doctor. Help them connect the dots.

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