2022-03-022022-03-022021-11Paris, J.H. (2021). An Exploration of Institutional Motivations for Holistic Graduate Admissions. Perspectives, 33 (3), 3-5.http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12613/7458Holistic review, or the evaluation of a range of applicant attributes including “non-cognitive” or personal qualities, is a strategy for expanding the predictive potential derived from the variables most commonly evaluated in graduate admissions. Despite the prevalence of holistic review, the current study uses an exploratory mixed method design to advance a more clear and consistent understanding of the practices that constitute a holistic graduate admissions process and the applicant attributes considered as part of this process. Survey data were analyzed to examine which personal attributes of graduate applicants’ are most aligned with institutional priorities of mission attainment, graduate student diversity, and graduate student quality. Findings indicate that there is substantial variability in the consideration of the sources of evidence and practices institutions use to assess applicants’ personal attributes. However, there is minimal variance in the reported importance of the personal attributes considered in the graduate admissions process. The findings of semi-structured interviews illustrate how and why institutions evaluate applicants’ personal attributes. The overarching perception of holistic review, and more specifically the evaluation of applicants’ personal attributes, was that it is important for identifying applicants’ potential to benefit from their graduate education and contribute to their learning environment and profession.4 pagesengAttribution CC BYhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Graduate studentsCollege attendance--EvaluationText