Definitions of Key Character/Non-Cognitive Terms and Skills for Use in Admission

This compendium of select character-related skills/attributes is intended as a starting place for colleges interested in establishing their own definitions of key terms.

It is important for admission offices to define the specific character skills they value when evaluating and selecting applicants. A lack of a clear definition (and a lack of examples of what a skill looks like in an application) invites bias by admission readers and can lead to unreliable or uneven implementation of criteria.

This document offers a collection of definitions of commonly assessed non-cognitive skills. The goal of these documents is to provide a starting place for colleges interested in defining such skills in the admission process.

Each skill-focused document contains:

1. A simple definition 


2. A rationale for the use of the skill and its connection to outcomes 


3. Additional information about the skill

4. Examples of how the skill might present in an application

5. Source information and additional reading 


These definition documents are jumping-off points, a place and a way to begin.

This resource is part of Character Assessment in College Admission Guide. Read more →

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What does the full Character Assessment in College Admission guide include?

• Character Assessment in College Admission Guide Overview

• Definitions of Key Character/Non-Cognitive Terms and Skills for Use in Admission

• The Thrivers Study: A Tool for Understanding the Characteristics of Successful Students

• Character Assessment Readiness: An Audit Tool for College Admission Offices

• Sharing Institutional Values: Examples from College Admission Websites

• Examples of Character-Focused Essay Questions in College Admission

• Examples of Language that Articulate the Importance of Family Responsibilities in College Admission

• Exploring Character through Recommendation Forms: New Ideas for College Admission Leaders

• Ideas Worth Testing: Innovation in Character Assessment In College Admission

• Examples of College Admission Character Assessment Tools

• Deans Commitment Letter

• Character Assessment in High Schools: Recommendations for the College Admission Process and Beyond (for high schools)

• Writing Character-Conscious Letters of Recommendation: Tips for High School Counselors and Teachers (for high schools)

We welcome feedback as you engage with this resource and in this meaningful work. If you develop additional tools or wisdom to share, we hope you will tell us, so that we can share widely and better guide others. Please email collegeadmissions@makingcaringcommon.org to connect with our team.