It's not the opposite of objective. It is a POV that says that something can best be understood and addressed as a whole rather than by its parts individually. Basically a "greater than sum of parts" thing.

From webster - relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts

So it is more the opposite of specific than objective. I think your confusion comes from colleges using holistic to mean they looks at things beyond beyond objective measurements like test scores and GPA

I know what it's supposed to mean. I also know that it is never used in that sense. That meaning is gone.

I don't know why you think this but you are incorrect.

Especially in health, wellness, and nutrition, holistic is used to mean 'concerning the whole' all the time.