<p>Found a very interesting audio recording on the admission process in Amherst College. Should demonstrate how humanistic and subjective the whole process is.</p>
<p>Behind</a> The Scenes: How Do You Get Into Amherst? : NPR</p>
<p>One thing I found interesting is "eighty-five percent" of the pool had already been weeded out, thus only a small amount is presented to the full committee for review.</p>
<p>Additionally, what they are really impressed by the applications is the "magic" or "soul" lol as they say, which means they to be successful, you really have to engage the reader so that that reader will fight for you in front of the committee.</p>
<p>The last line - </p>
<p>"When decisions are finally done, the irony is not lost on Parker that the tables will totally turn. As he puts it, these kids that we've been tormenting now have three or four acceptance letters and now we have to wait to see if they'll accept us. "</p>
<p>LOL I can imagine a comical reversed situation - Kids deciding whether to accept or reject colleges. Lolz I imagine kids writing to anxious college deans "The admission process is very holistic. We stress to colleges that scores is not all that matters. A college does not necessarily need perfect rank to get in. Fit, academic opportunities, financial aid, geographical location, and even weather may also considered"</p>