<p>But if you noticed in that article, they were quick to accept the top student of 6 students from one high competitive high school without even discussing the other students whom the regional person described as “also very strong”. Of course they never say whether any of those other students got in…but I still think that when several students apply from one high school, they are at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>I have to agree with 45 Percenter, in the end how they read it does not matter, if you are strong enough to be accepted you will. And I think it does work out better by reviewing by region. Some regions like New England have a lot more “opportunities” available to students over kids in other areas like wyoming". For me personally, I had never heard of these academic olympiad things until I got on CC. I mean I have seriously never heard it mentioned ever in my school or other schools I have been to. I know ignorance isn’t an excuse, but you gotta think, some regions and schools do put forth more opportunities so evaluating by region does make sense.</p>
<p>But then again, maybe I am saying this because Virginia sent 59 kids to Penn last year, and from my area, not a lot of kids apply.</p>
<p>Oh, and keep in mind guys, this article is about 12 years old, a lot has changed, I mean a 1600 on the SAT now will get you sent to the auto reject pile at Penn.</p>
<p>Auto reject pile, huh?? How sad! Just wondering why a college admissions person doesn’t come forward and post what really happens so that we aren’t left wondering, guessing and speculating. But I guess they don’t want to reveal their big secrets.</p>
<p>I was joking about the auto-reject pile, but I assume that if one applies unhooked with a 1600 overall SAT, then they stand close to zero chance of admission.</p>
<p>I haven’t read the article, but considering its from 1998, a 1600 likely refers to a perfect score. They added the writing section in 2005, prior to that year the SAT was scored out of 1600.</p>
<p>haha so much confusion over my simple joke, the article was written in 1998, when a perfect SAT was 1600, I was referring to the amount of change in admissions since then, by stating that today, a 1600 SAT would be very low, that’s all.</p>
<p>I agree with 45 percenter: Quotas on strong applicants from the same HS would be a stupid policy. They have no incentive to “spread the wealth” per se – if it means overlooking great kids. </p>
<p>What more likely happens is kids who are very similar apply from the same school. Given the multiplicity of that type of kid, some will be omitted. But that doesn’t mean a quota exists. Last year, my local HS had 4 admits to my HYP alma mater – a statistical near impossibility. But they were FOUR VERY STRONG applicants.</p>
<p>By being able to place an applicant’s achievements in the context of the rigor of the HS, previous applicants and matriculated students from that school, and other applicants, the Regional AC offers more information when familiar with HS’s in his/her region. Kids who apply from small states, small communities, etc. without a “pipeline” to schools like Penn are at a relative disadvantage IMO mainly because of this - unless they have an incredibly accomplished resume (maybe 5-10% of applicants).</p>
<p>^ On the other hand, such applicants’ chances can be enhanced by what they add to the potential diversity of an entering class precisely because of their backgrounds–geographic and otherwise (e.g., rural vs. urban).</p>
<p>Schools like Penn try to balance these considerations in putting together the most interesting and diverse entering classes that they can.</p>
<p>I agree with both of you. But students who apply from schools that regularly send students to the Ivies may only be at a disadvantage when there are several other students from their class also applying to those same schools. There is a limit to how many they will take from one school in order to have a diverse class and unfortunately strong students may get deferred or rejected while another student from a less competitive environment, who is not as strong a candidate, may be admitted. As someone from the Philly suburbs, there is much more competition to Penn than from any other region and although they may take more kids from my area, a lot of strong students get rejected or deferred.</p>
<p>I met a penn admissions officer, she said the regional incharge reads the application… but no decision is made solely by one officer…
each application is atleast read by two</p>
<p>That’s good to know. Thanks.</p>
<p>Not to be a solicitor or anything, but the A is for Admissions book by Michelle Hernandez is pretty insightful as to what goes on in admissions. It is kind of dated, about 6-7 years, but is still valid I feel. </p>
<p>I don’t know about the whole AI thing, but I believe the way apps are read is true.</p>
<p>Basically what she says is as follows.</p>
<p>Apps get in and are organized, this can take a while since there are so many applicants these days, basically everyone gets their own dossier. </p>
<p>Then the regional admissions officer reads through it and writes down a summary of you, basically the highs and lows. I think it is at this point where if you have a 2.5 GPA or a 1000 SAT that you get sent straight to the assistant director of admissions. He gives you one last look to see if the first reader was too harsh, usually he agrees and you are rejected. On the flip side, if you are just one of the most outstanding applicants ever, you get sent straight to the director of admissions who checks to make sure you really are that amazing, and you are accepted. The percentages for both of these groups are like 6-7%, the rest of the applicants 90% or so, go on to the committee round. Here 4-5 people go over your file again and look at the regional directors comments, sometimes the regional director is present to lobby for you, basically they kind of defend you as the committee picks you apart. The committee then decides accept or reject. </p>
<p>That is the basic process of reading apps, each school is different, but I think the bulk of the application is read by the first regional director, then you kind of are just summarized onto one page and that goes to the committee, of course they can look at all of your stuff, but usually what the regional director writes is enough for them. Hope this enlightens some.</p>
<p>Thanks for that explanation. Do you think it hurts if you have not had any contact with the regional admissions person for your area?</p>
<p>No, I don’t see why it would. If it did hurt, then those regional admissions people would be getting crazy amounts of phone calls. You only need to contact them if you have some specific question that only they can answer.</p>