Potential Bias within Holistic Master’s Admission Processes

This exploratory study examined potential bias within holistic master’s admissions processes through interviews with multiple admissions professionals located in New England. Data analysis revealed three overarching themes within the professional experience that follow critical race theory’s five tenets (Hiraldo 2010). These themes are: differences in defining diversity, a lack of bias training, and colorblind admissions processes. Coded narrative from study participants suggests that bias exists within master’s admissions, and that the process differs from previously researched undergraduate and doctoral processes due to a lack of understanding surrounding types of bias at the reviewer and administrator level.