<p>Does the order usually go</p>
<p>definitely accepted
definitely rejected
on the fence mostly likely accepted
on the fence most likely rejected</p>
<p>or do they do the definitely accepts and rejects then all of the kids who were on the fence? im asking because i applied EA somewhere and on jan 9th they said they will be making a decision very soon. they are mailing the letters on the 22nd so im afraid im getting rejected...ahhh i wish i just knew already. im overanalyzing!</p>
<p>I read an article about how an applicant went from a “definitely reject” pile to a “definitely accept” pile, so I think it just depends. </p>
<p>It depends on the college, but I’m sure your app gets read by at least two different people to make sure, and then you app is shuffled some more. I’m guessing all the letters are mailed at once.</p>
<p>I’m kind of confused about what you’re asking lol.</p>
<p>Anyway, I know it is TOTALLY nerve-wracking, but take a look at how your stats fit in with the rest of the school objectively, and you’ll probably have a reasonable shot of getting in. Just be realistic without being overly pessimistic or optimistic. </p>
<p>Do something to distract yourself from you nervousness if possible. </p>
<p>Don’t expect to receive anything on the 22nd, as it takes a couple of days I’m sure. In fact, don’t obsess over a single date. Just try to chill. I know, it’s hard!!!</p>
<p>Line up other colleges if necessary, and perhaps send them before you know.</p>
<p>“Hope for the best.
Expect the worst.
Life’s a play–
We’re unrehearsed.”
Mel Brooks. I love that man.</p>
<p>Good luck!!! I really really mean it.</p>
<p>As I recall from the book Gatekeepers, at Wesleyan it went something like this. The first reader takes about 10 minutes with each file, reading the essays, letters of rec (very quickly), and reviewing the transripts and ECs. He/she then notes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Accept with STAR, meaning fly the person out if you can, we REALLY want them</li>
<li>Accept.. goes directly to Admissions Director for a veto</li>
<li>Accept maybe - goes to a second reader for opinion</li>
<li>Reject maybe - ditto</li>
<li>Reject.</li>
</ul>
<p>The maybes then get accepted, or rejected if the second reader agrees with the first. Where there is disagreement, it goes to committee, where it is then accept, reject, or wait list. Each committee review last a minute or two. It takes 3-4 weeks to get everything out of committee.</p>
<p>This is a school with 6-7 adcoms and 6000 applications.</p>
<p>P.S. I also read they changed the mechanics of the process a couple of years after the book was written.</p>
<p>I meant to say the first reader spends 10-30 minutes with each file… it is very time consuming.</p>
<p>Some schools simply roll a rice, others skim over your applicant when they fee like it…</p>
<p>Or maybe they throw the maybes into a pile and pick up x amount and those that they pick up are admitted. Yea, that sounds about right.</p>
<p>They have a huge craps table. If the adcom rolls a 7 or 11, then rejected. If they shoot snake eyes, accept. And anything in between , they get to keep shooting. At Harvard, though, they settle it over tea and crackers. JK that´s how they do it at P-ton.</p>
<p>They form a circle. Then, with the applications in hand, throw all of them in the air at once. Those applications that land inside the circle are admitted.</p>
<p>Sometimes, I think it’s pure luck.</p>
<p>With rolling admissions, I think they just accept everyone until they’re full.</p>
<p>What most applicants obviously fear is that there is a definitely accept group, definitely reject, likely accept but needs further evaluation, likely reject but needs further evaluation, and then a fifth group reserved for the particular applicant which is defined as have him executed for believing he could even apply here.</p>
<p>ha thanks for the laughs everyone. i really needed that because my day is filled with worrying, over-analyzing, and constantly tapping my feet.</p>