College process as MIT explains it?

Applying to College
1

<p>Matt McGann posted what he does when reading applications here: <a href="http://matt.mitblogs.com/archives/2005/11/reading_folders.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://matt.mitblogs.com/archives/2005/11/reading_folders.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Do all colleges do it like MIT? This is important, since I'm wondering if I should leave out stuff regarding how good my school is, etc. in my esssays. My parents want me to "complain" about my school a little, saying that I came out of what they see as a "bad school with little opportunity." But my school is actually okay. My dad thinks that college admissions works like this: adcom reads essay of Student 1, then essay of Studenet 2, etc. etc. until Student N, then they review grades of Student 1, grades of Student 2, etc. etc. Without ever really thinking hard about the school circumstances and stuff (which Matt says he does).</p>

<p>What's it really like?</p>

2

<p>Ad coms know about the differences between schools because they get detailed school profiles from the guidance counselor. You don't have to point that out, and getting negative about your school with an adcom will look bad and defensive. Instead, focus on presenting your strengths on the application. They will be able to see on their own if you took advantage of the opportunities that were available at YOUR school.</p>