Colleges Now Want THIS in Your Application (Hint: Not Test Scores)

Colleges have long asked students to show what they know, through grades, essays, test scores, or activities. But now a handful of top schools are experimenting with something less traditional: how well applicants can talk to people they disagree with.

Six universities, including Columbia, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago, are now accepting “Dialogues portfolios” as an optional piece of the application.

These portfolios don’t reveal a student’s political leanings; instead, they highlight how they’ve engaged in structured conversations on divisive issues such as abortion, gun control, and presidential elections.

The idea comes from Schoolhouse, a nonprofit launched by Sal Khan of Khan Academy. Students aged 14–18 participate in guided online discussions with peers who hold opposing views. They practice “steelmanning” or rephrasing their partner’s argument in its strongest form, and reflect afterwards. Once a student completes three sessions, the portfolio is created with details like discussion topics, hours logged, peer feedback, and self-reflections. Admissions officers then see evidence of how the applicant handles disagreement, not which side they’re on.

For universities, this innovation responds to a real cultural concern: the erosion of civil discourse on campuses. Instead of simply hoping students arrive with these skills, schools like UChicago see value in rewarding those who already demonstrate curiosity, empathy, and respect in heated conversations. It’s a way of selecting not just for academic achievement but also for civic readiness. Advocates argue this could bring more ideological balance to campuses, where the loudest voices often drown out quieter but equally important perspectives.

Still, the program hasn’t been universally embraced. MIT and Vanderbilt backed out after piloting it, wary of unintended consequences. Yet Sal Khan pushes back, insisting the tool is about broadening, and not narrowing, the spectrum of thought on campus. He argues that authenticity is difficult to fake in live conversations and, even if civility is performed, the act of practicing respectful dialogue still has value. There’s a pragmatic wisdom in that: sometimes pretending to listen carefully eventually teaches you to do it sincerely.

For applicants, the decision to submit a portfolio will depend on context. A student who has honed their skills in debate club or Model UN may welcome the chance to showcase them, while others might worry it feels like one more performative hurdle. Either way, it’s worth watching whether this pilot expands beyond the initial six schools. If it does, tomorrow’s high schoolers may find themselves practicing not only essays and test prep, but also the art of listening.

If you have more questions about this program, or the admissions process in general, feel free to email us!

Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas

P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny.  Seriously.  College admissions isn't rocket science...but it is a science.  And we've cracked the code...year, after year, after year.  You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.

P.P.S - Our most common question is "When should we start?!"  The answer is, if you truly care about giving your high schooler the best chance of college planning success, you should start NOW. 9th grade is not too early to start! 10th grade is certainly not too early to start! And 11th grade is far, far too late! (supporting data here to show just how much of an advantage you give your child by starting the process early).