<p>What I read in a book about the ivy league (which may be completely outdated) was that the regional officer reads each app from his/her area and decides whether it’s highly competitive, competitive, or not competitive. If it’s highly competitive or not competitive, it goes to the director for approval for the regional officer’s decision. The director either approves or disapproves. If the director agrees with the officer, the decision is final. If not, it goes to the admissions committee along with the “competitive” applications, which account for most of the apps, so most end up at the committee anyway. From there, it is probably voted on. All decisions make it to the director eventually. But this can vary from school to school.</p>