Anonymous
07/24/2025 09:55
Subject: Time spent on each application
Anonymous wrote: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!
NP I’ve thought this for years. No one is actually reading those essays and recommendations. Keep them short and easy to read. Quickly to skim.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 09:52
Subject: Time spent on each application
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.
That’s why this whole “holistic admissions” thing is an obvious, cynical joke. There is zero ability to meaningfully evaluate a person on that timescale, and everyone should just stop pretending otherwise.