<p>In certain cases, location plays an important role. Applicants from underrepresented regions like North Dakota or Alaska are given something of a boost. At least that’s my understanding…</p>
<p>What about students from a country they don’t have students from?</p>
<p>Here’s a rather old but still very useful article about the admissions process at Penn:</p>
<p>[High</a> drama in the office of admissions | csmonitor.com](<a href=“http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1998/12/15/fp11s1-csm.shtml]High”>http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1998/12/15/fp11s1-csm.shtml)</p>
<p>It seems, for what I’ve heard from various admissions offices, a regional admissions officer does a initial and complete examination of an applicant. The admissions officer then takes the applicant’s portfolio and presents it to an entire group of admissions officers. The admissions officers then spend some time reviewing each applicant (discussing scores, personality, essays, etc.). It seems that the regional admissions officer is the one primarily involved in reading the application, but it seems that others review the applicant as well, although maybe not as extensively.</p>
<p>thanks IBclass!</p>
<p>^^ the above link was amazing. All applying/applied to penn must read it.</p>
<p>That link was great! Thank you IB!</p>
<p>how heavily does it matter, how many applicants you have from your school to Penn? Probably a few kids applied RD last year from my school and I am the only ED i believe.</p>
<p>Would the regional director compare standardized test results to other applicants from the country? Can this be used as a ‘filter’ to only keep the most qualified students from one country to discuss them with the rest of the staff or would they look at all apps?</p>
<p>that was from 1998, so keep in mind that what constitutes a “clear admit” has changed dramatically in the last 10 years</p>
<p>I heard (from not so reliable sources) that the regional director performs a triage on the applicant pool. A large chunk get thrown to the “not likely” pile based on scores, EC and essay. Select few are in the “in” pile for some desirable aspect of the application (recruit, nationally recognized EC, very solid academics, legacy). The rest is discussed over and voted on.</p>
<p>I think this method is realistic/reasonable because some applications do deserve more time than others.</p>
<p>Thanks for the article! Even though it is outdated, it still offers some cool insight! :)</p>
<p>However they evaluate our applications, let’s just hope/pray that they give us the time we deserve lol. after 17 years I want whoever is “evaluating my life thus far” to take it seriously heh.</p>
<p>its scary to think that your fate will be decided in…what, about 2-5 mins? :S</p>