<p>I've an article about it, but (obviously) it was very vague. Has anyone heard any rumors or know facts (or a friend/family member in an admissions board) about how Northwestern or any university reviews an applicant's application? I really wanna know of the MECHANICS...</p>
<p>***I’ve read an article…</p>
<p>yea, i’m curious myself… anyone?</p>
<p>As a general rule, at least one AdCom officer will read an application thoroughly and give it a numerical rating; at some schools it’s 1 through 6, at others 1 through 8, but in that range (1 being the highest). Various factors are considered in assigning this rating, including (in approximate order of importance): (i) difficulty of curriculum; (ii) grades (at some schools i and ii are combined as “transcript”); (iii) test scores; (iv) ECs; (v) recommendations; (vi) essays; and (vii) interview (NB: at most schools interviews are of de minimis importance, and often of no importance. Only in rare circumstances will they affect the chance of admission. Some very small LACs, where admissions officers do the interviews on campus - and where they are required - interviews count for a little.)
The numerical group indicates different odds of admission. For example, at a school that ranks 1 through 7, people who get 6 or 7 are not getting in (absent an enormous “development” arrangement). 5s rarely get in. 4s might have a 20-25% chance; 3s (where most strong but not overwhelming applicants fall) have something like a 33-37% chance. 1s are usually over 85%. 2s are tough; depending on the school and how many there are the odds could be as low as 40% and as high as 65%. These numbers are all rough, but this should give you the idea of how it works.
So the 2s, 3s and 4s usually have their applications reviewed by at least a second reader and they take up most of the discussion at the committee meetings (the 3s take up the most discussion, because they present the toughest decisions). Here is where things that you can control - like your essay and “voice”, and things that you can’t control - like how your “profile” fits in with the class the Adcom is trying to put together, take over. An oboe player, a fencing champion, the kid who already has two patents… stuff like that plays big. Then it’s demographics and personality “fit” (at many schools “fit” can really count: if you’re the genius who only takes care of yourself you might not be as appealing as the strong physics student who helped out your struggling classmates).
That’s the nature of the process, and the “mechanics.”
Hope this helps.</p>
<p>This is very helpful and informative. I’m not questioning it by any means but I’d like to know your source…</p>
<p>SOURCE: [Apply</a> Yourself, Fall 2005, Northwestern Magazine](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/magazine/northwestern/fall2005/features/coverstory/index.htm]Apply”>Apply Yourself, Fall 2005, Northwestern Magazine)</p>
<p>"In Northwesterns admission process, teams of individual readers determine the outcome for each applicants file. While some colleges and universities take every application to a committee vote, Northwestern admission decisions are determined by reader ratings in a round-robin format.</p>
<p>Each file receives an individual read. The first reader makes comments on the application, then sends it on to a senior admission staff member who serves as a second reader. If their decisions mesh, the decision is complete as an admit or deny. In the case of a split which according to Byrne happens fairly infrequently the application moves to a third reader, always a senior-level staff member. In rare cases an application will go to a fourth reader.</p>
<p>While every institution has its own system for admission decisions, Todd says the Northwestern process is tailored to meet the Universitys needs and the priorities of the six undergraduate schools.</p>
<p>As a first reader, Byrne spent 12 to 15 minutes with Eckels application, reviewing the file in four major categories academics, with attention to rigor of the curriculum and test scores; initiative, with a focus not only on activities, but also leadership, engagement and recognition; communication, specifically an evaluation of the applicants short-answer statements, Why NU? response and 400- to 500-word personal statement; and motivation, with emphasis on contacts with the University, personal connections and overall enthusiasm for Northwestern.</p>
<p>Academically, Eckels had solid scores on the standardized tests and graduated third in his 128-member class. Outside the classroom he was an award-winning actor. He worked in Xan Johnsons (GC78) theater education program, Youth Theater at the U at the University of Utah, where he was also recruited to work in university productions. He is also a jazz musician, teaches saxophone lessons and earned his high schools Louis Armstrong Jazz Musician of the Year award. He also played soccer and served as a tutor.</p>
<p>On the writing portion of the application, Eckels connected with Byrne on the Why NU? response, where Eckels discussed his meeting with Collins. He was really enthusiastic about Northwestern, says Byrne. That came through.</p>
<p>In terms of motivation for the University, Eckels had visited campus on his own. He met Collins. Finally, a glowing recommendation from his guidance counselor set the stage for a positive overall rating from Byrne.</p>
<p>Nine days after Byrne completed his analysis of Eckels, senior associate director Allen Lentino also reviewed the entire application in the same manner as the first reader and noted his thoughts on the inside back cover of the file. He largely agreed with Byrne, and Eckels became a member of the class of 2009, making him the first student from Union High School ever to attend Northwestern.</p>
<p>In this way the readers combed through 16,231 applications, reading every word of every file, giving each applicant individual attention.</p>
<p>Once we determine a candidate is academically viable, then it really does become a human process, says assistant director of admission Tom Menchhofer. Clearly we like students who like us, and that comes across in the essays, the letters of recommendation, the students knowledge of and interest in the University, their activities the passionate side of the application.</p>
<p>All applicants, even those recommended for denial, receive a second reading on the chance that you might catch something that the first reader, in all good faith, might have missed, senior associate director Shep Shanley says."</p>