which version of the admission review process is more accurate?

[Anonymous]

I've listened to a couple ex-admissions officers' podcasts when they review mock files. More than once, I heard them express disappointment that an applicant "didn't mention in their essay the new innovation center at our college that aligns with their major of interest" or "didn't make a point of joining one of Professor X's classes when they come on campus even when it is the exact subject this applicant claims they want to pursue..."

Does this sound like nitpicky to you or are these expectations common? Do kids really write about the college's investments or construction plans or would meet with professors during campus tours? I have known kids accepted into HYPMS+ in the last few cycles and some of their parents have been very forthcoming with sharing (sometimes bragging about) the distance they took to get those acceptance, including sharing tutors and consultants' names so it doesn't seem like they are gatekeeping, but I have never heard of someone attending classes or asking to meet with professors.

IRL, kids we know who got into the most selective schools just have the best grades from feeder high schools, or are recruited athletes/legacy/development candidates. It seem much simpler. So which version is true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've listened to a couple ex-admissions officers' podcasts when they review mock files. More than once, I heard them express disappointment that an applicant "didn't mention in their essay the new innovation center at our college that aligns with their major of interest" or "didn't make a point of joining one of Professor X's classes when they come on campus even when it is the exact subject this applicant claims they want to pursue..."

Does this sound like nitpicky to you or are these expectations common? Do kids really write about the college's investments or construction plans or would meet with professors during campus tours? I have known kids accepted into HYPMS+ in the last few cycles and some of their parents have been very forthcoming with sharing (sometimes bragging about) the distance they took to get those acceptance, including sharing tutors and consultants' names so it doesn't seem like they are gatekeeping, but I have never heard of someone attending classes or asking to meet with professors.

IRL, kids we know who got into the most selective schools just have the best grades from feeder high schools, or are recruited athletes/legacy/development candidates. It seem much simpler. So which version is true?

These podcasts are often targeted to parents and kids outside the "feeder schools". If you are from one, it's best to consult with your school counselor. Different pools of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Former admission officer podcasts are usually current admission consultants trying to sell services. Step 1 is making parents think the services are needed.

I think the ex-AO thoughts in your first paragraph are absurd.

[Anonymous]

My kid did attend some classes when we visited, not to get some advantage but to try to get a sense of the school. Not all schools allow it.

[Anonymous]

The granularity of the suggestions of college consultants is amazing. You can find YouTube videos where they suggest what OP describes.

Personally, I find it ridiculous, if not a display of an unhealthy obsessiveness on the part of an applicant if true. I would think that most AOs would consider this contrived in most instances and I find it hard to believe that an applicant gets rejected for these reasons.

But maybe this is where the spike leads us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former admission officer podcasts are usually current admission consultants trying to sell services. Step 1 is making parents think the services are needed.

I think the ex-AO thoughts in your first paragraph are absurd.

No, the comments both go to “did the applicant show demonstrated interest?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former admission officer podcasts are usually current admission consultants trying to sell services. Step 1 is making parents think the services are needed.

I think the ex-AO thoughts in your first paragraph are absurd.

No, the comments both go to “did the applicant show demonstrated interest?”

This is particularly true for Cornell, applicants must demonstrate interest in the essays.

[Anonymous]

If the essay is a "why [college name]" essay, I could definitely see this being the reaction. For a Common App personal statement, I think it would be odd to expect a school-specific answer.

[Anonymous]

I think your personal observations are more of an honest accounting of how the sausage gets made (stat/enrollment management driven plus hooks). The counselors’ comments you referenced only apply to the band of students who go through committee reading, which is not most students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the essay is a "why [college name]" essay, I could definitely see this being the reaction. For a Common App personal statement, I think it would be odd to expect a school-specific answer.

Agree that the why [college] essay calls for specifics, but I don't think most students ask to visit classes because a lot of colleges do not allow this (for good reasons).

[Anonymous]

The point is that the supplements that ask Why this College or Why this Major are looking for exactly these type of answers. Many kids talk about the superficial campus attributes or sports accolades, but schools don’t want to know about it these things. They already do. This is the applicants chance to dig in and clearly show why this school is a good academic fit as well as showing that they have done the research and are really interested. Knowing which classes support your major, which professors might look like a mentor, and which clubs support your growth are what those questions are asking. So while you might not answer exactly what the podcast AO says their answers are applicable to what AOs are looking for when they read those supps. Answering in this manner is one of the best ways to elevate your application.

[Anonymous]

I believe there are many different college admissions evaluation processes. I doubt any 2 colleges have an identical process. Color me skeptical.