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.
可见学校在选拔学生的时候，要参看的参数是非常做的，不是简单地只看某一个参数，尽管比如上边提到的哥伦比亚大学在academic potential, intellectual strength and ability to think independently等很多方面都很看重，所以招办在选拔学生的时候打的是综合分。
