“There’s this idea that college admissions is trying to cover, conceal, or disguise what we do — and nothing could be further from the truth,” said Mike Drish, executive director of undergraduate admissions at Vanderbilt University. “We’re not guarding state secrets. We’re not behind a veil.” As the 2025 Carey Lecturer, Drish shared his insights on the holistic college admissions process with students, families, and faculty during Family Weekend.

Drish has more than two decades of experience at selective public and private institutions and has seen college admissions from many angles. He explained that colleges use a holistic review process, evaluating the whole person rather than isolated achievements.

There are now more students prepared for university than at any point in history, which is a good thing — but it also makes for tough decisions. “That’s why we have to look beyond grades and test scores,” Drish explained. “Holistic admissions means looking at all of the pieces together — the whole person. We’re learning about someone, not judging them.”

Drish encouraged students and families to carefully consider the tools and resources they use in preparing applications. While artificial intelligence (AI) can draft an essay, it won't provide admissions officers with personal insight into a student's life and experiences. “We want to hear what a 17-year-old has to say — because that’s who we’re admitting to our university,” he said. “Could AI write a 250-word essay about losing a grandparent? Sure. Would it be personal and insightful enough to stand out among 49,000 applicants? Probably not.”

Drish also recommended that families review schools’ institutional priorities when deciding where to apply and ultimately enroll. These priorities can be discovered through a school’s website and admissions materials, on-campus visits, or with the guidance of Pomfret’s College Counseling Office. “Your college counselor has a good lens on where certain colleges and universities are in terms of their priorities or what they've been seeing over time,” he said.

After his presentation, Drish answered questions from the audience. By pulling back the veil on admissions, he helped families see the process not as a mystery to be cracked, but as a thoughtful, human-centered evaluation grounded in transparency and care. 

The W.P. Carey ’48 College Admission Lecture Series is held annually as part of Family Weekend. This lecture series brings a representative from a highly selective college or university to address students, parents, and faculty about the college admissions process. Offering the latest perspectives on the process, these lectures have proven to be a valuable resource for Pomfret students and their families during the college search.
 

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