<p>Is it true that for some colleges, the undergrads who work in the admissions office will actually look at some applications? Or a "first wave" of sorts? Just heard it from a friend who's ubberly-genius smart (state position in Key Club, full IB, perfect GPA) so she's pretty into the loop at things. I've never seen that discussed on CC before so I don't know though.</p>
<p>And if true, do you know what colleges have undergrads do this and not the same adcoms throughout every paper, and how that affects admit rates?</p>
<p>Admissions officers are the only people who can make a yay or nay decision on an application, and every application will be read by at least one admissions officer. </p>
<p>It is true, however, that many admissions offices hire outside people as essay readers. These readers usually have some prior admissions experience. I don’t know if some schools allow students to do this, but I doubt this is the case at any of the selective colleges. Duke certainly doesn’t allow us to read applications; we’re mostly limited to filing applications, answering the phone/desk, doing information sessions, etc.</p>
<p>I agree, I highly doubt that any undergrads are doing real “admissions” work. Many respond to email questions or answer phones in admissions. I’m sure schools use help in filing applications during those time periods were they get thousands of pieces of mail/day. But in regards to actually evaluating an application, I would say definitely not.</p>
<p>Deep Springs is the only college I know of where only students make the admissions decisions.</p>
<p>Caltech lets current undergraduate students have a voice on the admission committee.</p>