<p>Hello CC,</p>
<p>I called Harvard University recently, asking about an extracurricular activity update, and the lady I spoke to told me that decisions are pretty much done but I could send the update either way. So, I wondered if admission decisions are pretty much done what does the admissions committee do during the days leading to decision release? Do they review decisions? What do they do??? I was just curious....</p>
<p>Thank you in advance. :)</p>
<p>Well, the Ivies all release decisions on the same day (see: Ivy Agreement), just because one is done doesn’t mean the other 7 are as well. Moreover they probably have administrative details to take care of and other loose ends to tie up…I mean, practically, it’s understandable why they wouldn’t just be able to release decisions the moment they were done with them.</p>
<p>“what does the admissions committee do during the days leading to decision release? Do they review decisions? What do they do??? I was just curious…”</p>
<p>At most colleges, including Harvard, the Admissions department is separate from the student receivables/financial aid department. Once Admissions makes their decisions, a list of accepted students is sent to the Financial Aid office and FA is calculated for each student that qualifies. A FA letter is then packaged along with an acceptance letter. That process takes time – anywhere from a week to 10 days – so most decisions were made a while ago. That said, a few students (maybe 50 or less, but that’s just a guess) could have sent an update in the last week that caused the Admissions department to reconsider a previously deferred or rejected student. Meanwhile in the last 10 days, the Admissions department has been creating labels for all accepted, deferred and rejected students. William Fitzsimmons has been personally writing notes on acceptance letters for those lucky enough to get the nod. The staff has been stuffing folders, updating databases and getting everything ready for the postoffice, which arrives tomorrow around noon. After the PO takes everything away, they have a champagne and cake party after it’s all done.</p>