How admissions in Ivy Leagues work

[cellardweller]

<p>Danas:</p>

<p>Is this first hand information? Our D was admitted last year to Dartmouth and we spoke with our regional rep afterwards who indicated that all her applicants went in front of the committee. I am surprised they would do it differently by region. At Harvard there is definitely no alternative to committee review and a consensus decision on every applicant. It is even a two step process from subcommittee to full committee.

Then, in February, the applications are divided up geographically among 20 subcommittees. Thus, all applicants from Illinois and Indiana would be considered by the same subcommittee. Then, “we present the case for each applicant like a lawyer would,” says Fitzsimmons. Following debate, the subcommittee votes, with a majority needed to move along to the full committee of 35. There, the process is repeated in a grueling, two-week series of meetings. The debates and votes continue until the class has been whittled to the target number.

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