At least two colleges, Dartmouth and Williams, request peer evaluations (optional at Williams). It seems to me that these evaluations show as much or more about the author than the subject and are easily puffed up by collaboration between the peer and the subject. Can someone enlighten me on their value and role in admissions? Maybe I am selling them short, after all, both of the schools are experienced and well-respected places. Thanks!
<p>I don't know that they are very important parts of the application but to me they seem to be a variation on the theme of teacher recs. An applicant who can get a peer to write a warm, heartfelt, or clever evaluation may have that little something extra that schools are looking for (character, charm, whatever...). I suppose there are cases of collaboration to puff soemthing up but I would guess that in most cases the process is pretty legitimate. And perhaps when it isn't the schools can figure that out. The idea is to get a sense of what a peer thinks is significant and positive about the applicant in question (or, cynically, what the applicant thinks is significant adnw ants the peer to convey). </p>
<p>Both my chidlren applied to schools that asked for peer evals and had little if any input into what their friends wrote--but were very pleased with what their friends told them they had written. (They were fortunate in having trustworthy friends who wrote well and knew how to highlight specific aspects of their personalities.) Dartmouth and Williams are not unique in asking for peer evaluations. I seem to recall that D does not ask for an essay in addition to the common app one, so perhaps the peer evaluation is one of its few ways to get additional perspective on the applicant--not sure about Williams.</p>
<p>My son's feeling about the peer evaluation (Williams) was that even though it was optional, it would take on more significance in its absence. That is, if you opted not to submit it, it would look like you don't have any friends! One of my son's friends wrote a short, sweet and sincere note. It was non-scripted, and definitely non-conspiratorial, but heartfelt and I think an effective window into my son's character. </p>
<p>Interestingly, the first friend whom he recruited "forgot" to do it, I think because he was horrified by the whole touchy-feely idea, so be careful whom you choose.</p>
<p>I'm possibly applying for transfer admission to Wellesley, and a dear friend who's currently a transfer student there will be writing a peer evaluation for me if I do apply. I think it's a neat idea, and I think most friends who truly care will be sincere and not overly inflate their friends.</p>
<p>Couldn't you just write it yourself?</p>
<p>^And I only ask that as a question of the evaluation's weight. It seems that a lot of kids would just ask their friend if they could write it themselves and just put their friend's name on it. Don't colleges realize this?</p>
<p>They do seem to fall in the "What the hell were they thinking?" category. They sound like a holdover from the old days when everybody applying to the Ivies were from private prep schools.</p>
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And I only ask that as a question of the evaluation's weight. It seems that a lot of kids would just ask their friend if they could write it themselves and just put their friend's name on it.
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<p>Because character is who you are when no is watching. In addtion there is an expectation on honesty and truthfulness associated with the process. Remember lose lips sink ships. </p>
<p>Wouldn't you look stupid if you bragged to someone that you wrote your won rec and that person reported you to the school? Do you think that you would still be admitted? Remember at any time your admissions or your degree can be rescinded if you have been caught being less than truthful in the admissions process.</p>
<p>Beleive it or not your peer rec is in a way going add a bit of consistency to your other recs, essays and how you come across in your interview. In your teacher recs the teacher ususally does comment on how well you work with others, and how you interact. If you get a glowing peer rec that you are the most helpful person who walked the earth and it is kind of inconsistent with your 2 teacher recs and GC rec, a flag will pop up.</p>
<p>I know that D submitted the peer rec (required for Dartmouth) in addition to the optional rec (Williams). She had a friend who she has been in school with since 6th grade. D was her recommender's peer editior (junior year) in addition to being her partner in counseling a group of 7th graders (senior year). </p>
<p>Dartmouth does pride it self on its sense of community and cohesiveness amongst its students so yes they do give some credence to the peer rec. When the question was raised at a Dartmouth info session the adcom stated that they already knew that everyone who was applying to Dartmouth was already smart and the teachers were going to talk about what wonderful students they were. However sense building a community is really important to them, they want to know what your peers think about you. She went on to tell a story about an exceptionally smart student who had a peer rec that stated applicant was a grade grubber and backstabber. candidate was rejected.</p>
<p>First, at many (if not most) high schools, everything that goes into an application is reviewed by the guidance counselor. They would be able to know if something's been done less than truthfully. At some schools, peer evaluations must be written in the guidance counselor's office and on school letterhead. (I just checked with a friend who went to Williams from a public high school, and that's what she said.) There are tactics used to make sure they are done honestly.</p>
<p>Second, most admissions committees have read enough applications in their time to be able to spot phony things. They can tell when parents write the essay or fill out forms, for example, so they should be able to tell if a student wrote everything on their own.</p>
<p>Third, if you're a big enough jerk and a liar to cheat on your application this way, I tend to think it's going to shine through in another way on your application or in your interview.</p>
<p>I think that peer evals could be a good thing where a person's classmates are all on the same page about applying to the extremely selective colleges. Any reservations I have stem from when an applicant is applying from a poor public school.</p>