What The People Who Read Your College Application Really Think

Applying to College
1

“… To a lot of students, the process seems wrapped in a shroud of mystery. What exactly happens when you send your application out into the unknown only to … wait? Well, here’s a glimpse behind the curtain at one school.” …

http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/12/29/507088990/what-the-people-who-read-your-college-application-really-think

2

Probably the best set of advice for college apps that I’ve read. D16 had the stats and ECs. but her essays were half-baked and she had disappointing results with US admissions- she was applying from abroad and neither of us realized how important those essays were.

3

Here’s another school’s admission process (from a few years ago):

http://www.reed.edu/reed_magazine/spring2008/features/many_apply/index.html

Summary:

http://www.reed.edu/reed_magazine/spring2008/features/many_apply/5.html

4

Both interesting articles. Thanks for sharing. And they speak to the fact, that the Chance Me threads on CC are not all that helpful, because unless you read the recs and essays you only have part of the story. The stats get you in the consideration pile, everything else gets you in the admit pile.

5

William & Mary’s Admit It! Blog makes the entire process incredibly transparent. Even if you are not applying to the school, I highly recommend checking it out. They have an “Overheard in Committee” blog and other blogs that are intended to give students a real life look of what goes on, and gives tips on what to do or not to do when crafting their own applications.