Apply - Office of Admissions (2023)

FAQs

What do you say when you call the admissions office? ›

Say hello, tell them your name, and thank them for being there. College admissions officers are people, too, and they're always thrilled to connect with kind and friendly students!

Yes, every college essay is read if the college has asked for it (and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college's review process. It will be anywhere from one reader to four readers.

What is an application red flag? Simply put, it's something on a college application that can make an admissions officer second guess how qualified an applicant is or if they're a good-fit for the school. A red flag can be as serious as a disciplinary infraction, or as simple as not following application directions.

At most selective colleges an application will be read by a minimum of two admissions professionals, and could be read by as many as four. Generally, the first reader is the regional admission officer–the person who knows the school and region, and may have met the student.

If a student is a really good fit for a particular college and shows interest, the admissions representative can help explain all the possible pathways to admission available. Plus, the admissions representative in some cases can advocate for the student through the process.

Try to give detailed, thoughtful reasons, by mentioning the department's approach to your subject, or if it has particularly strong facilities for the course. Don't mention things like the nightlife or costs, and don't say anything that indicates you didn't really put much thought into your decision.

Admissions officers look at “hard factors” (GPA, grades, and test scores) and “soft factors” (essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and demonstrated interest) to gain a full picture of applicants.

But all the same, it's not a good idea to ask about the school's party culture or anything related to drugs and alcohol. Questions that make you seem uninterested. Don't ask admissions officers questions that compare them to other schools.

How many essays do admissions officers read a day? Every admissions office has a goal for the number of essays that must be read during any given week. However, college admissions officers and admission readers may read approximately 50 applications per day, spending approximately 15 minutes per application.

It is totally appropriate to contact admissions officers during the application process. You may have a question about your candidacy and how to represent yourself on the application. Your may have a question about the school that no one can answer.

Can you ask an admissions office why you got rejected? ›

There is no rule keeping denied students from asking admissions officers the reason for the decision. However, it's very much likely for them to get a generic response or none at all. It's a better idea for denied students to ask admissions officers what they could do for increased admissions chances.

For the most part, the answer to this question is: no. College admissions officers don't have secret meetings to gossip about which of the incoming freshmen applied to their schools.

Courses and Grades

A student's grades in college-preparatory classes remain the most significant factor in college admission decisions. Highly selective colleges look for students who: Complete core academic requirements.

Every college has its own timeline for evaluating student applications. It's not unusual for a college's application process to take four to six weeks. Colleges that have an application portal allow students to go online to check the status of their applications at any time.

About 65% of admissions officers view social media as “fair game” when evaluating potential enrollees, according to a survey performed by Kaplan Test Prep in 2020. With that said, only 36% of the 313 officers surveyed said they actually took the time to browse applicants' TikTok, Instagram and other accounts.

If you have specific questions about academic programs or campus life (or just want to touch base with the admissions officer assigned to your geographic region), sending an e-mail to college admissions will get you the essential information you need AND show your enthusiasm for the school.

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the position of (insert job title). I can attend on (insert date and time). Please let me know if you need me to prepare anything for the interview or bring anything with me. If you have any questions or circumstances change, you can contact me on (insert details).

How long do admissions decisions take? ›

The average turnaround time for an admissions decision for schools with rolling admissions is four to six weeks, though in some cases students might have to wait longer. For regular decision candidates, the wait is more like eight to 12 weeks.

Basically, there are six main factors that college admissions officers consider: AP classes and challenging course loads, high school GPAs, SAT and ACT scores (unless they are test-optional), meaningful extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement.

The regional admissions officer will usually present an applicant to the committee and explain why they should be admitted. The other members of the committee then review the applicant's information, discuss their accomplishments and the value they would add to the school, and make a final decision.

Admissions officers are looking for well-written essays that follow directions. Officers review thousands of essays every year. In fact, the average college received 9,071 applications in 2020 [2]. Writing either a very short or a very long essay—ignoring the directions in either case—might send the wrong impression.

The person who reads your application in a college admissions office might be a dedicated admissions officer, a faculty member, or a student or part-time essay reader. They are reading your essay in the context of your application overall.

The answer is a resounding no. In fact, with some exceptions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which has historically fact-checked random batches of applications, admissions officers at elite universities rarely fact-check much of anything. And why?

With a median age of just 30 years, 76% of its workforce is under 40 years old. Comparatively, only 44% of all higher ed professionals are under 40. Chief admissions officers and heads of admissions are on average 45 and 40 years old, respectively.

Many schools make sure most applications receive at least two full reads before going to committee. The second reader will add additional input and notes to the applicant's file. The second reader often agrees with the comments and recommendations of the first reader but sometimes they will disagree.

Admissions officers sort applicants by region first, and then often subdivide within regions by other factors, which can include race, gender, intended major, or smaller geographic areas. Thus you are compared to other applicants from your high school, but not directly.

Academic Achievement

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important for college-bound students to understand that grades are the most important factor that colleges will consider when evaluating applications.

Can you ask a college to reconsider if you get rejected? ›

Can you ask a university to reconsider? Yes. While students certainly can ask a university to reconsider, these are rarely, if ever, successful in changing an admission decision. Many counselors only recommend that students appeal their decision if an important piece of information was missing from their application.

Being rejected from every college you apply to doesn't reflect on you as a person, and you still have the potential to get a great education. We all face challenges in life, but the key is how we respond to them. Weigh your options, stay positive, and trust that everything will work out okay in the end!

Offers of admission are based on each school's enrollment objectives. Making admissions decisions is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Large state schools may use a test score and GPA formula. Highly selective schools may have multiple reviewers with many voices weighing in on a decision.

There is no magic number, but five to eight applications are usually enough to ensure that a student is accepted into a suitable institution (depending, of course, on the individual student's record and circumstances). This number should be made up of a combination of “safety,” “match,” and “reach” colleges.

Colleges can see which schools transferees previously attended upon the receipt of the academic transcript and/or financial aid transcript. The Common App for Transfer or a proprietary application also asks about previous schools. However, it usually does not have a bearing on the admissions decisions.

Colleges that accept you will usually notify you of your acceptance between mid-March and mid-April, either through an email or as an update on your college application portal.

ACT / SAT Test scores

No matter which you take (colleges don't actually prefer SAT or ACT scores over the other) higher test scores will increase your acceptance odds. Not only that, but ACT / SAT scores can also qualify you for scholarships and certain forms of financial aid.

colleges normally start to read applications at the same day for regular decision applicants. unless you are apply early decision, no benefit to submit ahead of the deadline.

What GPA do colleges look at when you apply? ›

Colleges consider your unweighted or weighted high school GPA alongside other grades, including your semester GPA and cumulative GPA. Admissions officers look at your official transcripts to contextualize your GPA and understand which classes you thrived.

1. Do Colleges Give Rejection Letters? Yes, colleges send rejection notices to students who weren't admitted.

There is a considerable chance that they will not remember your name. They are more likely to remember a distinguishable piece of clothing or a question you ask. Your questions should be sharp. Ask about a specific academic program and how admissions consider applicants to that program.

Say hello, tell them your name, and thank them for being there. College admissions officers are people, too, and they're always thrilled to connect with kind and friendly students!

Securing an interview with a college admissions officer at the school of your choice can be instrumental in getting accepted. Most colleges receive a high volume of applicants, so a personal interview can make your application stand out.

It is totally appropriate to contact admissions officers during the application process. You may have a question about your candidacy and how to represent yourself on the application. Your may have a question about the school that no one can answer.

Dear [Name of admission officer], I am checking in to see if you have any new information about my admissions since I haven't heard anything from you yet. If you have any questions or require additional information, please get in touch with me at [Phone number] or [email address].

Here are some potential topics: Write about an important activity you recently started. If the application does not have a “why X school section”, write why you want to attend the school. If you had a difficult life circumstance that impacted your grades, you can describe it here.

If you have specific questions about academic programs or campus life (or just want to touch base with the admissions officer assigned to your geographic region), sending an e-mail to college admissions will get you the essential information you need AND show your enthusiasm for the school.

Is it a good idea to email admissions officers? ›

There are many reasons to email an admissions officer. You may need to ask some clarifying questions about a specific program, you may need help understanding your financial aid package, or you may want to confirm the college has received every part of your application.

Calling the admissions office to ask a question is harmless- they may or may not remember your name, but if they do it makes you look interested and eager not to mess anything up in your application. E-mailing is even better as you're more likely to get a response (and they'll be more likely to remember your name).

But to really make a good impression, shake their hand, make eye contact, and introduce yourself using your first and last name. But even though you should speak professionally, don't feel like you need to be too restrained in conversation with them.

What does the committee review process look like? During the committee review process, your assigned officer will verbally relay your application to the rest of the group, making sure to highlight your character traits, accomplishments, interests, and anything else that stood out about your application.

Academic Achievement

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important for college-bound students to understand that grades are the most important factor that colleges will consider when evaluating applications.