How are applications read?

<p>Just out of sheer curiosity, can anyone provide insight as to how applications filter through the admissions process? Which parts are read first? Are the "holistic" portions of the application scored quantitatively? Once regional adcoms send their choices to committee, how do they proceed from there? And what's the influence of your location and school type (relatively immutable factors) on how your application is viewed?
Sorry for the avalanche of questions; my panic attack is having a panick attack :P</p>

<p>See: [How</a> are College Applications Read? - Ask The Dean](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/how-are-college-applications-read.htm]How”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/how-are-college-applications-read.htm)</p>

<p>These may be of interest, as well:
[Inside</a> the college admissions process - Parenting & Family - TODAY.com](<a href=“http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41622747/ns/today-parenting_and_family/t/inside-college-admissions-process/#.UMUkC457GhE]Inside”>http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41622747/ns/today-parenting_and_family/t/inside-college-admissions-process/#.UMUkC457GhE)
[Dirty</a> Secrets of College Admissions - The Daily Beast](<a href=“Dirty Secrets of College Admissions”>Dirty Secrets of College Admissions)
[What</a> College Admissions Officers Look For: How Do Colleges Read Applications? | Education.com](<a href=“http://www.education.com/reference/article/college-admission-officer-applications/]What”>Articles | Education.com)</p>

<p>This article was a real eye-opener for me on how the admissions process works, at least at one school: [Reed</a> Magazine: Many Apply. Few are Chosen. (2/5)](<a href=“http://web.reed.edu/reed_magazine/spring2008/features/many_apply/2.html]Reed”>Reed Magazine: Many Apply. Few are Chosen. (2/5))</p>

<p>These are incredible resources and I urge anyone with Yale-induced panic attacks to read them. Thank you so much, gibby!</p>

<p>Here’s another article explaining how schools pick students:</p>

<p>[Admissions</a> Messages vs. Admissions Realities](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/apply/news_and_articles/admission_messages.html]Admissions”>http://www.reed.edu/apply/news_and_articles/admission_messages.html)</p>