Why College Admissions Officers Are Starting to Ask About Soft Skills

Rob Heller

Published on: 01/09/2026

A growing number of college applications are probing for evidence of communication, resilience, and collaboration -- not just GPA and test scores. This piece looks at what's changing in admissions and what it means for how schools prepare students.

SEL & Career Readinesssoft skills college admissions essays2026school administratorsholistic college admissions

Why College Admissions Officers Are Starting to Ask About Soft Skills

Rob Heller

Published on: 06/08/2026

New college admission trends show 70% of officers weigh soft skills like communication and resilience. See what schools can do to prepare students.

SEL & Career Readinesssoft skills college admissions essays2026school administratorsholistic college admissions