<p>^
I’m so glad you linked that!
I was started to get worried, but now I feel like I have a chance! 
Of course, I can’t be sure about the paintball part, but you never know… maybe my application won’t be targeted!</p>
<p>My favorite part is at the bottom of the first page of the thread where the vital role of Handsome Dan is explained.</p>
<p>Does the committee frequently change (ie, are the professors, students, alumni, etc. random or do they have something to pertain to your specific application–if you put down a bio major, do you get a bio professor?)?</p>
<p>How did you hear that, though?</p>
<p>I know I need to stop thinking about it because there’s nothing I can do anymore…but, ahh, the next 29 days are going to be torturous.</p>
<p>The posts so far have pretty accurate, but if you want a more detailed description then just read Michelle Hernandez’s book, A is for Admission. Basic summary of the process: prelim reader takes basic info (such as GPA, test score, region, etc.) and attaches it to front of folder, regional officer (who understands the context of the school) spends 15-30 minutes reading it, might have a second, maybe third read from another officer not for your region, then it goes to a committee of 3-4 people who present their cases and decide.</p>
<p>I asked the Yale person who came to our school this and he said:</p>
<p>Step 1: your regional officer reads your application, completely. He/she makes notes.</p>
<p>Step 2: another admissions counselor reads your application. He/she does not see the notes the first reader made, and makes his or her own notes on your application.</p>
<p>Step 3: The application is sent to the committee where the regional officer “defends” your application. The application requires a unanimous decision to be approved. The regional officer at my school said that there are 3 categories:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Easy admits: REALLY RARE. Takes very little time for the committee to decide</p></li>
<li><p>Easy rejects: Common. Usually this decision has already been made by the Regional officer before it’s brought to committee and the meeting is just a formality.</p></li>
<li><p>Students that cause discussion: Most admitted students. The committee discusses you application (according to the guy who came to my school, this process can take as long as 2-3 hours in some cases)</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>^Thank you. That is good to know</p>