<p>I've been contemplating the bleary-eyed AOs who have been diligently slogging through applications ahead of 3/10. By now their work is nearly complete, a few odds and ends left to sort out. There are 46 days post 1/15 to 3/2, which isn't really that long. Using Exeter as an example, a total of nine AOs face 3000 applications. That's 7.24 complete applications per calendar day assuming only one AO reads each application. Obviously that number could double or triple based on the number of AOs reading the application. From this I conclude that a lot of applications have to be set aside after one quick initial reading or the AOs would never have time to sort through the many really difficult cases. What quick methods of culling the herd do you all think the admissions teams really employ? Whatever they are, they likely mimic the Herculean task faced by the top colleges each year. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Nice math. 7.24 complete applications in one day is nothing.</p>
<p>I like the job of an AO with the caveat that I’ll use my vacation days in Feb instead of Dec.</p>
<p>LOL, guess I was right about the work winding down! Feeling like a tax accountant on 4/16?</p>
<p>I am curious, though. What’s a normal reading load and at what point is the admissions team really down to the tough choices?</p>
<p>I hesitate to say what “normal” is b/c # of apps and # of AOs varies from school to school. Even in my own office some read more than others, as others may have different responsibilities. I will feel like “a tax accountant on 4/16” on 3/11. But we’re almost done, thank goodness. How has everyone been on this discussion board? It’s been a while.</p>
<p>Feels like 11pm on 12/31. Everyone is waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square.</p>
<p>GemmaV, Did you get more apps this year than last at Hogwarts? Did you get more FA apps this year than last? How is your FA budget this year compared to last? Does the quality of applicants vary year over year? If you kindly post your school address, I like to mail you a thank you note.</p>
<p>Hi Gemma - nice to see you here tonight. I just want to say “thanks” for your past posts, and your gracious replies to so many, many questions.</p>
<p>@pulsar: Yes. Yes because of the first yes. Yes but they seem to get better every year. </p>
<p>Gemma V
Associate Director of Admissions
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Somewhere in Scotland</p>
<p>@mountainhiker: Thanks for your thanks. :)</p>
<p>How much lower is the FA admit rate than FP rate?</p>
<p>@pulsar: Are we playing 20 questions?</p>
<p>I have only 19 (like 99 cents).</p>
<p>I think interviewers could make a pretty big cut by simply knocking out candidates who interviewed poorly (however they might measure this) or who had parents that raised a red flag.</p>
<p>Very few that apply to HADES interview poorly, so you can’t knock out many. And interview is only one component of 10 other things. Think about knocking out someone for poor interview later only to find out that s/he cured cancer.</p>
<p>How long does it take for an initial reading/rating of an app? I would guess about 15 minutes. My understanding is that most are read by more than one person and that the kids who are ultimately admitted/wl are read more than once as the selection is honed.</p>
<p>(And I never used up all my questions from last year! 
)</p>
<p>@pulsar: I don’t know, I’ve been in a few waiting rooms this fall and seen ALL sorts of kids and parents…and I think there are lots of ways to fare poorly in an interview. I’ve also interviewed dozens of candidates for jobs over the years and know that I cut many people after a face to face despite a great resume and other supplemental materials. And what about kids with helicopter or high maintenance parents?</p>
<p>Would love Gemma V’s take on this.</p>
<p>And while many people pooh-pooh standardized test (the “AOs love to talk about how many 2400s they rejected” thing), I also think they allow for some degree of narrowing the field.</p>
<p>Helicopter and HM parents can carry fat wallets, just sayin.</p>
<p>Hello, Gemma V! Nice to see you again! :)</p>
<p>I think they read more than 7.24 a day… just my opinion, though.</p>
<p>@Kraordrawoh: I feel the same exact way.</p>
<p>There is a fundamental flaw in OP’s question. They don’t read applications only between Feb 1 to present, they read the applications as and when they are complete starting in October. OP assumes all the applications are submitted on Jan 31 which is absurd.</p>