<p>I was wondering if it is the admissions counselors who read the essays or some other group. It seems that many of the counselors are young grads with a variety of majors. This makes me wonder if the individual college that puts a great deal of emphasis on the essays if they are leaving it up to perhaps someone not so qualified to evaluate essays. Or perhaps they have more qualified "essay readers".
Does anyone understand this process or does it vary with the colleges?</p>
<p>It does vary by college - but generally there is a first reader who is the regional rep for your state or geographic area - then it is read by a second person - and then perhaps by a full committee. Most schools have at least 2 people read/review each app. Some do it by geographic territory - so one person is the first reader for every applicant from your hs - but some schools read more randomly. The bottom line is that it varies quite a bit - you can’t control it - so don’t worry about it too much.</p>
<p>At my school it’s regional rep for you, then a regional rep for someone else. I know my regional rep (who also is the head of a group I am in) still remembers my essay and likes to talk about it.</p>