<p>Hey, i was wondering if admissions officers at all universities read all candidate's essays. I have heard that some people with low GPA and SATs have gotten into top universities with their, supposedly, outstanding essays. However i have also read that universities dont read the essays of all the students that apply but narrow down the list according to one's GPA and SATs and read the essays of only those narrowed down candidates. As for me, my GPA and extra-curricular aren't as high, as those needed by universities like HYPS, yet i am applying to one of them hoping to spend alot of time and write an absolutely amazing essay and possibly get in. So what do admissions officers do? Should i put in the effort?</p>
<p>Many schools claims that all applications are completely read by an admissions officer. I take them at their word, though I’ve never been in an admissions office, so I don’t really know.</p>
<p>In answer to your question. if you’re going to apply write that amazing essay.</p>
<p>Just do your best.</p>
<p>Colleges typically recv 25,000 to 50,000 applications. Lets say the deadline is Dec 1st. They need to decide latest by March 15th. Dec 15th to Dec 31st - no work gets done. SO they have about 3 months or 90 days to check all docs are in and read the apps. Lets take an avg of 35,000 apps per college. Lets say there are 20 people in admissions going over apps. That’s 1750 apps per person. Which works out to 20 apps per day per person !!! That’s more than 2 per hour. Assuming they are doing nothing else but reading apps. Not true. They are answering calls, organizing tours, travelling, attending mtgs, etc - and doing other stuff that people in an office do. </p>
<p>Do you think all the essays are getting read??</p>
<p>Here is my best guess - I bet every college uses a cutoff. if you are clearly in or clearly out - no need to read your essays. if you are borderline - your essay probably gets read.</p>
<p>^ I think that totally depends On the school.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that they typically spend on average 8 minutes per application on the first read over. So that would affect the above calculations.</p>