When an applicant is assigned to an AO/admissions counselor, I’m thinking these are not the people reading the applications and making the big decisions. What part do they play in the process besides answering questions for prospective students? Do they actually see an application or have any say in the process?
There was a great book called “The Gatekeepers” about 20 years ago that described in fascinating detail how applicants were evaluated, and how decisions were made. It was a behind-the-scenes account of an admissions cycle at Wesleyan. Applications were read by the AO assigned to the student’s state/region and by one other AO. The idea is that the AO for each region has some familiarity with the local schools and can assess students in the context of where they were educated and where they lived. If both the regional AO and the second reader felt strongly that an applicant should be rejected, the student almost certainly was; similarly, if both were strongly in favor of acceptance, a positive outcome was likely. For other applicants, the evaluation process involved discussion by the full AO staff and a vote, and in a small number of cases the director of admissions made the final decision (although he had to approve all acceptances, IIRC).
My understanding is most selective schools use the process described above. So if that’s the case, then yes, the assigned AO does play a meaningful role in many if not most admissions decisions.
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Interesting. So these regional folks are the people reading the essays and applications and then passing them along to either a committee or at least one other person to get a consensus? Do you think it’s the same process for schools that might only be in the Top 100, but not Top 20?
Sorry, I don’t know. I remember being explicitly told by representatives at a couple of the schools my kids visited that the regional AO would be one of the evaluators, but I’ve never worked in admissions and don’t know if the practices described in “The Gatekeepers” are universal; perhaps the process is different in less selective schools, in schools with few out-of-state students, or in schools that base admission decisions largely on numerical criteria (GPA, test scores) rather than on subjective stuff (essays, etc.). Hopefully someone with inside knowledge will chime in.
ONLY the top 100?
There are 4000+ colleges in the country. I can’t say with total certainty, but it’s highly likely that schools in the top 100, and probably even the top 300, evaluate applications in a very similar fashion. Just because a college accepts more than 10% of applicants doesn’t mean they open the floodgates and let everyone in.
I am working with kids right now who are applying to colleges with 70% acceptance rates, and they are completing supplemental essays. Yes, even those colleges care about grades, activities and fit.
Yes, the regional rep who comes to your area is probably the one reading your app, but schools also hire seasonal readers. I think it depends on the school, but I suspect there is a lot of variation in who makes a final decision about who gets in and who doesn’t. At some schools, maybe most applicants are decided by a committee, and at others, not so much.
@Lindagaf Your wisdom has helped me with my first child during the 18/19 cycle, so thank you! Just reading your posts, along with a few others, gave me the knowledge to make it through that crazy process when I was starting from scratch and knew nothing!
I now have #2 going through it, and she’s a completely different creature. #1 was a high stat kid with a specific talent and passion for the arts and a resume filled with academic awards and APs. University of Miami was his dream school and when they came up with the money, off he went! It didn’t matter where else he was accepted, because UM was his dream. That is why I said Top 100 schools.
His sister has a few of the same schools on her list, but they are her reaches. She’s been accepted to schools that she would be very happy at, like Kutztown U and Delaware Valley U. Not schools that would be routinely discussed here on CC, but if she’s happy, I’m happy. So I apologize if somehow I had an uppity tone to my words. Not my intention!
And I want to read this Gatekeepers book…sounds interesting!
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@Lindagaf p.s. my D actually received an acceptance letter that replied to something she had in her essay! She battled a chronic illness and the letter wished her well as she continues on her journey! That was impressive to me and it was not a Top 100 school, but it showed they care! It was the first time that I realized the process might not be a big assembly line the way I had imagined! lol
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Your situation sounds similar to ours. My daughter has had medical issues and applied EA to a lot of schools with high or moderate acceptance rates. She is getting acceptances and we’re thrilled! She hasn’t really talked to any admissions reps but it feels like they are looking at her carefully. My 18 son was high stats and looking for the most affordable option but most of his schools were selective.
The Gatekeepers was an interesting read, but I should not have read it while my son was in the process, as it was kind of discouraging.
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