Graduate admissions is not a one-size-fits all-process, according to new research and guidelines in the Wayne State University Graduate School’s portfolio review white paper and toolkit. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and other materials have long been the foundation of graduate applications.
In practice, however, standardized test scores often weigh heavily in admission decisions. Initial cuts based solely on GRE scores contribute directly to a lack of diversity in graduate education, often eliminating capable students early on.
The Graduate Admissions Committee developed the portfolio review toolkit after listening to concerns of applicants, current students and alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators. This input, along with national research and data on WSU admission practices and Ph.D. outcomes, led to these new guidelines.
Portfolio review is a process by which each applicant is evaluated as a unique individual based on a broad range of metrics, characteristics and experiences. The goal is to invite a diverse and inclusive graduate student body to excel at WSU, contribute to the mission of the university, and become leaders and innovators based on their achievements, work ethic and values.
“The GRE does bring value,” said Ambika Mathur, associate provost and dean of Wayne State’s Graduate School. “But we must recognize that a student is not defined by their test scores. Portfolio review offers a balanced evaluation system and places GRE scores within a broader context.”
To support this initiative, the Graduate School will base funding and awards, in part, on programs’ development and implementation of portfolio review processes, recognizing the limitations of standardized tests and collecting information on applicants’ other qualities and experiences that predict graduate student success.
Wayne State is not alone in these efforts. The College Board has noted that the GRE “does not and cannot measure all the qualities that are important in predicting success,” and argues for multiple criteria to be used when evaluating applications. The National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation no longer require standardized test scores in fellowship and training grant applications.
Likewise, programs at Harvard University (astronomy and astrophysics) and the University of Michigan (biomedical sciences) no longer require and/or accept GRE scores in their graduate applications. Systematic efforts to update graduate admission procedures within a single institution places Wayne State among these trailblazing institutions.
For more information on the development of portfolio review guidelines and data collected at WSU, read the complete white paper and explore the portfolio review toolkit.