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'Merit' meaning shifts in college admissions | College Connection — Photo by www.kaboompics.com on Pexels

college admissions

Merit‑Based Admissions 2025: How Community Service and STEP Shape the New Elite Class

Merit-based admissions prioritize academic achievement, leadership, and impact over legacy or purely test scores. In 2025 colleges increasingly weigh community service, personal branding, and STEP (Summer Transition & Education Program) experiences when building a diverse, high-performing class. I’ve spent fifteen years partnering with high-school counselors and students across the