A New Push to Assess ‘Character’ in Admissions

You can’t measure heart, people often say. But some selective colleges have long wanted to know more about who applicants are, what they value, and how well they might fit in on their campus. A new push to assess students’ intangible qualities could change the conversation about what matters in admissions. The National Association for College Admission Counseling on Thursday announced a new Character Focus Initiative to elevate the importance of nonacademic factors and personal attributes in admissions. The association, known as NACAC, recently acquired the Character Collaborative, a volunteer organization that promotes character in admissions. The new initiative will expand on that group’s advocacy and research — and perhaps broaden its impact.