<p>that seems to be the bible here</p>
<p>A is for Admissions is the most specific, matter-of-fact admissions book I’ve ever read because it describes EXACTLY what happens to your application and how it’s read (how the Ivy League AI is calculated, for example), EXACTLY how decisions are made (and how likely letters work, which is something I’ve wondered about), and EXACTLY how URMS/athlete/legacies are dealt with (their applications are tagged and railroaded through the process). I say “exactly” 3 times because most other books are very vague about the actual process. However, you should keep in mind that the book is also over 10 years out of date, so as fierce as the competition described in it is, it’s a portrayal of an easier time for admissions than now.</p>