<p>Does the admissions officer review all of the apps coming from the same high school? Do they make comparisons between students coming from same school?</p>
<p>No, they do not. For example, my high school has fluctuated between 0 to 5 (the number who apply pretty much stay static around 15). They get applications from their region as they come in and not by high school. They compare you to the entire applicant pool based on history and from that year's applicant pool (which is pretty amazing every year).</p>
<p>We heard otherwise from a Harvard coach. He wanted to know how many other students were applying from my D's school and where she ranked within that group.</p>
<p>That was probably to make sure she fell within a certain AI range which is critical in athletic recruiting in the Ivy League.</p>
<p>no -it had nothing to do with her AI, which is very high. The coach mentioned it in reference to her chances of admissions. He noted that she is very likely to be admitted (based on her scores and grades) but that it depended on how many from her school were applying and where she stood. He explained that she would be compared to her peer group and that the first peer group looked at by admissions would be applicants from the same school.</p>
<p>I don't see that point, especially for myself, I was barely in the top 10% of my high school class and had no special hook. I'm also an Asian-American. There were plenty of kids who were more qualified than I was in terms of scores and academics. I think the coach is a bit off in his assessment. It is perhaps HIS assessment of the student (he decides who goes on his recruiting list), but it is certainly not admissions. When a majority of the vote of all the admissions officers is needed for a student to be admitted, you are essentially being compared to the whole applicant pool.</p>
<p>I am the stupidest person I know applying to Harvard (at least based on my scores I am the least qualified.) I'd prefer if I am rejected because I suck overall and not because I am not as good as my friends. Ugh I hate they idea of it being some kind of competition between us. Still we're good friends and we'll be able to stay cool.</p>
<p>xjayz - I believe it really is their admissions strategy. I should have made it clear that D is already on the coach's list and that the bit about being compared to other applicants from her school came from the person in charge of recruiting. I guess he is a kind of admissions liason. I can't think of why he would mislead her. She is #2 on the coach's list and they will be taking three in her sport this year. The "director of recruiting" was merely outlining the admission process. My info comes directly from someone at Harvard. Where are you getting your info? Is it merely your take on admissions?<br>
I would advise anyone concerned about this to check with someone in admissions.</p>
<p>I have worked for admissions as a student coordinator for the past year and over this summer and will continue to do so this coming year, and the undergrads who post here can corroborate this fully. I have talked to countless number of admissions officers here, and they all agree that comparing students within each school is pointless because in the end, each admissions officer, who is in charge of particular regions of the country and the world, are comparing students based on how strong the OVERALL pool was historically and how strong, based on estimates from the Dean and Director of Admissions, the OVERALL applicant pool is that current year.</p>
<p>One person is in charge of all the apps from one high school, but that person's job is to advocate on behalf of ALL the kids on her docket. She has to "sell" those kids to all the other officers. On the other hand, I think that strong fellow applicants could matter if it means that the guidance counselor's recommendation isn't as strong. You want the guidance counselor (and teachers) raving in their letters if at all possible.</p>