Students pour over their college applications every year, but who actually reads them? You’ve likely heard terms like “college admissions officer,” “college admissions committee,” and “admissions reader” thrown around. But what do these terms actually mean? And how does the admissions process work?
In this article, we will discuss the roles of college admissions officers, admissions committees, and admissions readers. We will also examine questions such as: How long does it take admissions to review an application? What do colleges look for in applicants? And how many admissions officers are there?
To start, what is a college admissions officer, and what do they do?
A college admissions officer is responsible for reviewing college applications within a specific region. Depending on the school, an admissions reader might review your application before passing it along to your admissions officer. Colleges know that each high school is unique and has different opportunities and standards. Therefore, in an effort to be fair, college admissions officers are assigned a specific region. Eventually, these officers become experts on the high schools within this region.
High schools also submit school profiles along with students’ college applications. These profiles describe the courses and opportunities available to students. College admissions officers, admissions committees, and admissions readers consider each student’s application within the context of their high school’s profile. College admissions officers, however, are often most familiar with the specific high schools in question.
It’s important to realize that the college admissions officer reviewing your application is determined by where you live. If a college representative has visited your high school, it is most likely your college admissions officer. After all, the best way for college admissions officers to familiarize themselves with a high school is by visiting. This is why you should introduce yourself to them if the opportunity arises.
So, what do admissions officers do, specifically?
In addition to reviewing your transcripts, test scores, activities, strong personal statement, supplemental essays, and recommendations, college admissions officers summarize your application and present their summary and impressions to a larger college admissions committee.
Of course, not every college has an official admissions committee. Generally, though, the more selective the school, the more thorough and formal the admissions process. That said, if you are interested in learning how to get into an Ivy League, you should familiarize yourself with the college admissions committee review process.
It’s also important to keep in mind that college admissions officers look at your social media accounts. After all, admissions officers want to gain a holistic understanding of each applicant, and for better or for worse, students’ internet personas are very telling of their interests and values. So make sure your social media presence is appropriate and presentable!
You’re probably wondering how much time admissions officers spend on each application. On average, college admissions officers review several applications within an hour. That said, if your application makes it through the first round of consideration, an admissions officer will spend much more time with your application. Suppose an admissions officer or admissions reader is not sure whether or not your application is a good fit for the college. In that case, they will seek out a second, or sometimes even a third, opinion before bringing an application to the admissions committee.
Each college approaches the admissions process differently. That said, there is a lot of overlap, especially when it comes to highly-selective schools, such as Ivy League institutions. Generally speaking, the more selective the school, the more likely it will be to have an official college admissions committee and a formal review. But what actually happens during the college admissions committee review, and what do colleges look for in an applicant?
In order to be seriously considered for admission, a student has to be a good academic fit. This means that their high school GPA, history of course rigor, and test scores (if submitted) are up to the college’s standards. Even though many colleges adhere to holistic college admissions standards, if a student does not meet the school’s qualifying GPA and test scores, their applications will quickly be sorted out.
If your application makes it past the first round of considerations, your application may be passed on to another reader or be reviewed by a committee. At this stage in the admissions process, your college essays, list of activities, and letters of recommendation will become the focus.
Each college is different, so you probably won’t know for sure who reviewed your application specifically. Rest assured; however, admissions readers, admissions officers, and admissions committees are all professionals who take each application seriously.
There are many factors that admissions officers look for in an applicant. Still, generally, they are looking for academically capable, passionate students who are intent on making a difference and being involved in their communities. This is why preparing thoughtful, personal statements and supplemental essays is essential. College letters of recommendation are another valued aspect of your college application because they convey how others perceive you and what you’re like in the classroom.
How colleges decide who gets in depends on several factors, including extracurricular activities, high school GPA, standardized test scores, volunteer hours, college essays, and letters of recommendation. Colleges look carefully at every aspect of your application. So if you’re wondering, do colleges read letters of recommendation? The answer is yes. Likewise, they also review each of your college essays, in addition to all of the other sections of your application. That said, approach each aspect of your college applications with care. If you need help staying organized during the college application process or developing an application strategy, you may want to consider hiring a college counselor. Here at Prepory, we have the resources and expertise to help you achieve all of your college-related goals. So if you have questions about how colleges decide who to accept or how colleges read applications, reach out to learn more about our services.
Uncover the college application review process, the roles of admissions officers, committees & readers, and what they seek in applicants. Boost your chances of acceptance with our insights.
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College acceptance rates are currently at a record low. Learn more about this year’s increase in college deferrals, college waitlists, and college transfer students.
The 2020 pandemic continues to affect college applications in 2023, with an unprecedented increase in college applicants, a decrease in college acceptance rates, the rise of test-optional schools, and the elimination of SAT subject tests, among other factors. Public perception regarding higher education continues to evolve as well. The introduction of online and hybrid learning has prompted students and parents alike to consider the cost and value of a college application more critically.
Whether you are a student, parent, or educator, it’s important to stay current. In this article, we’ll discuss the latest college admissions trends for 2023, including the increased numbers of waitlisted students, Early Decision applicants, transfer students, and international student recruitments.
Are colleges looking at SAT scores in 2023? Many schools adopted test-optional policies during 2020 and 2021 college admissions. This continues to be the case in 2023. As of fall 2021, 65% of colleges in the U.S. are officially test-optional, with a recent survey citing that 68% of test-optional institutions plan to make this policy permanent moving forward.
That said, college admissions are becoming increasingly more competitive, especially since holistic college admissions standards are so subjective. That said, exceptional SAT and ACT scores can help distinguish your college application and set you apart from your peers. Overall, what colleges are looking for has largely remained the same, despite evolving test policies.
Why are college acceptance rates decreasing? During the last two years, there was an influx of college applicants, with Common App experiencing a 22% surge in total applications submitted. This can partially be accounted for by the rising trend in test-optional admissions policies. Students who did not test well and would otherwise limit their college applications to “fit” and “safety” schools are applying to more prestigious schools.
If you are wondering, will it be easier to get into college in 2023? the answer is no. The class of 2026 college acceptance rate is at a record low. This is especially true for Ivy League colleges.
Let’s look at a few statistics to get a better idea of college admissions trends for 2023: Between the 2021 and 2022 admissions cycle, Amherst College’s college acceptance rate decreased from 12% to 7%; Boston College’s college acceptance rate decreased from 32% to 16%; Colgate College’s college acceptance rate decreased from 27% to 12%; Harvard University’s college acceptance rate decreased from 5% to 3%; and Dartmouth College’s college acceptance rate decreased from 10% to 6%.
So while what colleges are looking for in students largely remains the same, unfortunately, your odds of getting admitted to your dream school have become slimmer, simply due to competition.
As college admissions continue to become more competitive, Early Action and Early Decision applications have become increasingly popular. Schools are offering more early application options, including Early Decision II and Early Action II. While Regular Decision applications are still the norm, it is worth noting that for highly-selective schools, the number of accepted students who applied through Early Decision has increased dramatically.
Before the pandemic, colleges generally did not admit more than 20-30% of their incoming class through early admissions. This year, however, Barnard College admitted 62% of its incoming class through early admissions. Similarly, UPenn admitted 51% and Boston University admitted 50% of their incoming class through early admissions.
In short, Early Decision acceptance rates for 2023 are at a record high. Therefore, if you have your heart set on attending a certain school and have the financial resources to do so, you may want to consider applying through Early Decision.
There has been an increasing number of college admissions deferrals since the beginning of the pandemic, with more and more students electing to take a gap year. Due to this, a record number of students have chosen to send notice of their deferral. In turn, this has affected college admissions officers’ decision-making process.
Due to the increase in college deferrals, colleges no longer have stable admissions statistics to help them plan accordingly for their incoming classes. Because of this, there has been a significant increase in the number of waitlisted students to help account for this recent increase in college deferrals. This also means that demonstrated interest has become a more significant factor in what colleges want in an applicant.
Receiving a college waitlist letter can feel disappointing; thankfully, however, your odds of getting accepted are higher than they were pre-pandemic. As you figure out what to do if you’ve been waitlisted, remember, you still have a shot at being admitted to your dream school.
There is also an increased number of college transfer students in 2023 as well. This is partly because many first-year college students were unable to schedule in-person college tours due to COVID-19 restrictions. Choosing a college is a difficult decision so it makes sense that there are higher rates of transfer students in recent years. As campuses reopen and allow in-person college tours, transfer students are making more informed, mindful decisions about where they want to earn their undergraduate degrees.
If you are interested in transferring colleges, refer to our article, College Admissions 101: Transferring Colleges. You may also want to refer to our articles, Colleges Accepting Spring/Mid-Semester Transfers, and 10 Best Schools to Transfer To In 2022-23 & Transfer Acceptance Rates. Although transferring colleges can feel overwhelming, rest assured, lots of students successfully transfer colleges each year. Both transferring colleges and changing majors are common occurrences.
As COVID-19 international travel restrictions are lifting, college admissions are increasing their efforts to recruit international students. In 2020 and 2021 international student populations took a significant hit. International students contribute significantly to colleges in the U.S., both culturally and financially. Because of this, colleges are eager to increase their international numbers and diversify their college campuses. If you are an international student, refer to our International Student College Checklist, as well as our article, Applying to a U.S. University as an International Student.
The SAT subject tests have been eliminated. Effectively, this has placed an increased focus on AP classes and AP test scores. Elite institutions prioritize high academic achievement. In previous years this was gauged by SAT scores, ACT scores, SAT subject tests, AP test scores, and high school transcripts. With the rise of the test-optional admissions trend and the elimination of SAT subject tests, AP classes, and high school GPAs have become the main indicators of academic success. College admissions officers also look at your level of course rigor as an indicator of your academic capabilities, as well as your desire to challenge yourself.
If you want to know how many AP classes you should be taking, you should aim to take as many AP classes as you can reasonably manage in subjects that genuinely interest you. Talk to your teachers and high school guidance counselors about what they think is a manageable course load for you. You may also want to refer to a complete list of AP classes with their respective passing rates to help you decide on your class schedule. Remember, while it’s important to challenge yourself, it’s equally important to know your boundaries and limitations.
College essays are also becoming increasingly significant in the college application process. College essays, particularly supplemental college essays, help personalize the admissions process. Colleges want to admit diverse, vibrant student bodies. This is why holistic college admissions standards are so important. In some cases, colleges such as Brown, Bowdoin, and the University of Chicago are accepting video submissions in place of certain essays.
Stellar test scores and impressive GPAs are important, but with the rise of test-optional college admissions, it is important to take every opportunity to stand out. Review the components of a strong personal statement and focus on writing a sincere, unique college essay. Let your passion and personality shine through!
Use your college essays to give admissions officers a reason to want to admit you. You may also want to refer to our article on what college admissions officers look for in an applicant.
As college is becoming more popular and accessible, admission standards are shifting. In the past, legacy students had a clear competitive edge when applying to schools, especially Ivy League institutions. In 2023, this is changing. Now cultural diversity is taking precedence over legacy status.
That said, it’s important to keep your eye on the news as the Supreme Court reviews the constitutionality of affirmative action programs. For the latest information, review our article, How Will the Supreme Court Cases Affect College Admissions?
There have been countless cultural changes in light of the pandemic — for companies, workers, students, and families. College admissions are adjusting to the times as they navigate shifting COVID-19 protocols and anticipate the latest college admissions trends for 2023. From the rising popularity of test-optional admissions to lengthening waitlists to the waning importance of applicants’ legacy status to the upcoming Supreme Court cases, college admissions are in the process of undergoing major cultural shifts. This is why it’s important to stay up-to-date on trends in college admissions.
As you navigate college admissions season, continue to do your research and learn more about how to decide which colleges to apply to and how to write a successful college essay. Depending on your college goals, you may also want to consider hiring a college counselor. A college counselor can provide you with valuable insights into the college application process, help you design an application strategy, and polish your application materials. If you are interested in attending a highly-selective college, such as an Ivy League institution, reach out to learn more about our services.
