Time spent on each application

[Anonymous]

I have asked that question to several AOs: How long do you take to read a file? The answers ranged from 5 to 10 mins.

I can totally see why that happens. But it’s still hard to imagine that the readers can do anything more than skim the various material: 2 LORs plus counselor recommendation, transcript, test scores, activities and awards list, 2-3 essays, etc.

[Anonymous]

They skim the essays. They read the transcripts & school report carefully, check out the test scores. Review ECs. Skim the recommendations

[Anonymous]

And remember it’s usually not Amos who are doing this, at least in the first round. They hire people to do first reads.

[Anonymous]

Should be AOs, not amos

[Anonymous]

I am an outside temporary reader. I have read apps for 2 T25-ish schools.

I have multiple degrees and lots of relevant experience but am only paid $5 to read and review each app. I spend 2-5 minutes on each college app reading it and making comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an outside temporary reader. I have read apps for 2 T25-ish schools.

I have multiple degrees and lots of relevant experience but am only paid $5 to read and review each app. I spend 2-5 minutes on each college app reading it and making comments.

Help me understand: how does one read 3 essays + 2 recommendations + 1 transcript + 1 college profile + tests/awards/activities info in 2 mins? I am genuinely curious…I read very fast and have multiple degrees too. But there is no way I am capable of doing the above!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They skim the essays. They read the transcripts & school report carefully, check out the test scores. Review ECs. Skim the recommendations

Not in that order.

[Anonymous]

I know a certain LAC spends 20+ minutes on borderline applications

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an outside temporary reader. I have read apps for 2 T25-ish schools.

I have multiple degrees and lots of relevant experience but am only paid $5 to read and review each app. I spend 2-5 minutes on each college app reading it and making comments.

This makes me actually wish AI was doing the initial summary. What a joke.

[Anonymous]

The point is something has to grab them. For T20.

If you’re using a college consultant, they know that you need one activity or the way one activity is described to make them stop and read deeper.

The way an essay starts in the first two or three sentences can determine if the reader continues to read or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have asked that question to several AOs: How long do you take to read a file? The answers ranged from 5 to 10 mins.

I can totally see why that happens. But it’s still hard to imagine that the readers can do anything more than skim the various material: 2 LORs plus counselor recommendation, transcript, test scores, activities and awards list, 2-3 essays, etc.

Name the schools. I've seen 8-15 minutes mentioned.

It sounds like you're just trying to stir things up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have asked that question to several AOs: How long do you take to read a file? The answers ranged from 5 to 10 mins.

I can totally see why that happens. But it’s still hard to imagine that the readers can do anything more than skim the various material: 2 LORs plus counselor recommendation, transcript, test scores, activities and awards list, 2-3 essays, etc.

Name the schools. I've seen 8-15 minutes mentioned.

It sounds like you're just trying to stir things up.

University of Wisconsin
Rice University
WashU

[Anonymous]

The takeaway from this is:

1) Write everything to grab attention.
2) Don't take a rejection too personal, it was a 5-15 minute snap judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have asked that question to several AOs: How long do you take to read a file? The answers ranged from 5 to 10 mins.

I can totally see why that happens. But it’s still hard to imagine that the readers can do anything more than skim the various material: 2 LORs plus counselor recommendation, transcript, test scores, activities and awards list, 2-3 essays, etc.

Name the schools. I've seen 8-15 minutes mentioned.

It sounds like you're just trying to stir things up.

University of Wisconsin
Rice University
WashU

Rice and WashU have over 33,000 and 37,000 applications.
Wisconsin has 66,000 applications.

Of course they have to read quickly. How is this a surprise?

[Anonymous]

Grades and scores are first cut