<p>This was interesting to read. Thanks for posting it.</p>
<p>Yes. That should be required reading on CC.</p>
<p>The bottom line for prospective students - set high standards, find your passions, pursue them with all you've got, and don't waste your efforts on trying to out-think Admissions Committee reps who scrutinize applicants' submissions for a living.</p>
<p>Excellent info. It explodes a lot of myths widely propagated on CC and elsewhere.</p>
<p>I agree the discussion should be required reading. Still, the "insights" are of little aid to students trying to maximize their chances at a particular college. With this paucity of assistance, is it any mystery why families hire consultants? The important factors are subjective, and the objective tipping factors unknown (gee, I wonder if Yale will need a bassoonist in their Class of 2023?). Panel members are right about one thing though, a good student will get into a good college. Still unanswered is the question whether that student would have gotten into a better college if admissions processes were more transparent.</p>
<p>^ Well, that's precisely the point, isn't it? Because the most selective colleges get scads of extremely well qualified applicants, the most important selection factors at the end of the day will be subjective. Consequently, the process will be quirky and unpredictable. I thought these admissions officers made it perfectly clear that at the end of the day there's little point in trying to game the system by trying to tailor your application to what you think they're looking for---and even less point to arranging your HS career with that end in mind.</p>
<p>Sorry for the indirect link above. Here's a more direct one:</p>
<p>Q</a>. and A.: College Admissions - Questions/Answers Blog - NYTimes.com</p>
<p>One thing that I thought was emphasized a lot was that the admissions office looks for consistency in an application. That is, it is a big advantage if the recommendations give credibility to what is revealed in an interview, on a resume, in an essay etc. Another thing that I found interesting was the take on summer activities and community service. Community service in a vacuum or for the purpose of padding a resume is not going to be a big advantage (but it may not be a huge negative factor, either). </p>
<p>
[quote]
Accomplished students with high aspirations will find a welcome at a broad range and a large number of excellent colleges. Further, it matters far less exactly which of those colleges they attend than it matters how prepared they are to engage the world of opportunities available at any strong college.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think this is so very true, frustrating as it may be for those who for one reason or another (sometimes good reason)find themselves focused on a particular school or two.</p>