readyforit

I know Brown looks at the whole person, but does anyone with experience or information know how much the adcom really considers what teachers write? Is there some sort of ranking for it ( as in each applicant having a total score that affects admit/defer/reject?) Is it just purely individual, or is there a formula of some kind, and where do my teacher's voices fit in? Thanks to any senior members or current students who know...

snipersas

While there's usually no "total person" formula, most schools ask adcoms to rate recommendation letters on a scale denoting their level of support; I have seen a 1-6 system used in the past.

readyforit

Thanks, sniperas. And what is the total score one hopes for to be admitted? ( That is, with all the parts--scores, grades, ecs, recs, arts supp, and essay, and whatever I left out. Hooks...I guess...)

Thanks.

T26E4

Stop driving yourself crazy. In a competitive pool such as Brown, IT ALL MATTERS. Got it? For every slot, there are multiple SUPER-QUALIFIED applicants. Then it gets down to many subjective factors. Trying to deduce some mathematical formulation is Quxiotic.

Just step away from the computer slowly... take a deep breath.

readyforit

Very comforting.

rchhay

Well, you can preview a version of the Common App from their website and then you can see what teachers have to fill out and such. I think that kind of helped me understand the importance of the rec letter

T26E4

ready: I'm not trying to be harsh but at this point, you just need to be secure in your apps and let what come, come. You can't change anything by worrying. If you're truly a viable Brown candidate, be 99% sure you'll have an extraordinary successful college experience, wherever you attend.

fireandrain

I've been interviewing applicants for 25+ years, and have attended several workshops with admissions. What I've learned: Teacher recommendations are extremely important. In general, after your transcript and test scores, that's the next element scrutinized. I would say they are more important than essays. As far as I know there is no formula/ranking, but what your teachers say is critically important.

readyforit

Thank you so much fireandrain. I follow you and CC and find all your posts hugely informative and helpful.