How Do Admissions Officers Read Applications?
Every year, college admissions offices are overwhelmed with thousands of applications to review. Without enough time for each application individually, they make decisions which have a lasting effect on students.
Admissions officers usually perform a quick scan of each application to assess its academic qualifications. This is the initial step in the holistic process.
They Read the Best First
Admissions officers have to read a great number of applications quickly, which is why they often rely on software to speed up the process and sort through all the data quickly.
When reading season arrives, admissions offices employ a range of readers. Some are seasonal workers who work for only a few weeks or months; others are full-time employees tasked with reading all applications within their designated region.
These professionals are all trained to give standardized and objective judgments. However, each reader has their own personal preferences and experiences which might lead them to rate a science major from an underrepresented minority at an under-resourced school more favorably than another.
They could get a good sense of an applicant’s personality and how well they will fit into the college community. Furthermore, college admissions officers might be interested in hearing about any extracurricular activities students are involved with.
For instance, if an applicant is an exceptional athlete but lacks extracurricular activities due to working after school, that information can significantly influence the decision-maker.
Part-time or full-time employees, they review every application and enter it into their college’s customer relationship management system (CRM).
Once a first pass has been made, admissions officers send the applications off for committee evaluation. This could take anywhere from minutes for simpler decisions up to an hour or more for more complex ones.
Depending on the school, admissions committees can range in size from a few to several dozen officers. They evaluate a student’s grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, essay comments, family information and recommendations before making their determination.
These reviews are based on each student’s background and preferences, but the most crucial consideration is whether or not they fit for the college. To prove your fit for the school, students need to demonstrate that you understand their expectations and why attending is so important to you.
To impress an admissions officer, craft your essays in such a way that it demonstrates you understand their expectations and how you can assist them achieve those objectives. Create an application that stands out from all others with its distinct voice and memorable structure.
They Read the Rest Second
On average, admissions officers review between 359 and 622 applications annually. While this may seem like a daunting task at first glance, the good news is that there are numerous resources and tips available to assist you in getting accepted to your dream college. One of the best ways to discover what makes a university tick is to speak with an admissions representative directly, in person or over the phone. This will give you more insight into their application process and enable you to ask the right questions. Your college search will become much smoother and enjoyable if you take advantage of all available information. For instance, did you know that the University of Michigan provides academic grants to qualified students after they complete a FAFSA and meet other eligibility criteria? These funds are awarded after students submit their completed FAFSA.
They Read the Rest Third
The next step in the admissions process involves admissions officers reading your remaining applications. They assess your academic qualifications, essays and extracurriculars to decide if you meet university acceptance criteria. Most schools have multiple readers who will review each application to give it a score; this helps decide if further review is necessary or if your application can be sent directly to admissions. Some universities, like Harvard, have teams of three or four individuals who read everything and assign you an overall grade.
Harvard has a unique reading procedure, but most Ivy League and selective undergraduate institutions follow a similar one. These steps help the admissions office make decisions based on their institution’s goals and priorities without considering any potential biases that applicants might have. Colleges are often quick to admit students who have excellent grades and test scores, but they also want to guarantee that these students possess sufficient character traits and intellectual vitality for success in their schools.
They Read the Rest Fourth
After reviewing a student’s transcripts, test scores, and recommendations, admissions officers turn their attention towards the rest of their application. This includes extracurricular activities, writing samples, and interview reports. The first reader not only looks for evidence that a student has strong academic potential but also takes into account other elements like legacy connections, interest in attending the school, energy level level, and overall fit with the college.
If a reader believes a student is likely to be admitted, they may send the applicant’s file directly to the admission director who will make their final decision. Sometimes, this process skips second and third readers so the admission director can make their final judgment without delay. While this step-by-step process can take weeks or months, those admitted into top colleges are able to pursue their educational dreams and passions in ways they wouldn’t have had access otherwise.