Columbia employs a holistic approach in assessing candidates in order to evaluate which students are the best matches for Columbia's unique educational experience. In the process of selection, the Committee on Admissions considers each applicant's academic potential, intellectual strength and ability to think independently. The Committee also considers the general attitudes and character of the applicant, special abilities and interests, maturity, motivation, curiosity and whether they are likely to make productive use of the four years at Columbia.
可見學校在選拔學生的時候，要參看的參數是非常做的，不是簡單地只看某一個參數，盡管比如上邊提到的哥倫比亞大學在academic potential, intellectual strength and ability to think independently等很多方面都很看重，所以招辦在選拔學生的時候打的是綜合分。
