Hi everyone
Could anyone please provide me with any insight into the admission process?
E.g. is it possible that the admission officers only read your essay and see your stats and you’re already on the reject pile?
Or are they required to go through the whole application?
Can people be rejected solely for having bad stats (GPA and test scores)? Absolutely.
What difference does it make?
http://mitadmissions.org/apply/process/selection
However poor grades and test scores can lead to automatic rejection.
Yes, absolutely.
If your GPA, testing and counselor information shows that you are not prepared well, then yes, you will be in a reject pile.
Here’s one example: Duke does a preliminary assessment of all applications based on a rating scale from 1-5 in 6 different categories: academics, curricular rigor, standardized tests, ECs, essays and recommendations. 50% of all applicants are rejected based on that preliminary assessment. The remaining applications get 2 full reads.
http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2015/03/ferpa-request-gives-inside-look-duke-admissions-process
thank you all so much for your provided insights!
There are first readers that screened unqualified applicants before adcom seeing them.
@billcsho
Do these first readers usually also read the letters of recommendation?
It doesn’t matter what the school’s protocol for reviewing applications is, the odds that a strong LOR will make up for subpar grades and standardized test scores is infinitesimal. Many applicants will have both outstanding stats and outstanding LORs. Unsolicited advice: in general it is fine to have a reach school or two so throw in an application wherever you want and see if your LOR makes a difference, but your focus should be on schools your stats are in line with.
at competitive schools that receive thousands and thousands of applicants - if the GPA and test scores do not meet some low bar, they will never make it to the essay
thanks for all your insights!
@nadinem123 The roles of first readers depend on the school. They are often part time job, for instance, college students, then just enter the data and file them together. The adcom would give them guidelines to reduce the applications for further reviews. Obviously, test scores and GPA would be at least part of the criteria. They would also check if you do fulfill their minimal HS course requirement including foreign language. I don’t think they will go through the LoR though as that may need to be judged by the adcom. The main idea is to reduce the workload of the adcom so that they can speed up the review process.