How much time do admissions officers spend on each application?

renaissancedad
Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:58:01 +0000

I don’t think there is a uniform system across all schools. Duke has been fairly open about how their process works, and it’s probably somewhat similar to the way a lot of top schools do things given the huge volume of applications they receive:

http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2015/03/23/ferpa-request-gives-inside-look-duke-admissions-process#.VXGoSEI9b8k

Applications are initially screened by a reader (usually a regional admissions officer) and checked against a list of important areas and relevant criteria (curricular rigor, grades, scores, essays, recommendations and extracurriculars). Each application is summarized in a paragraph, with strengths and weaknesses noted. About half are found to be non-competitive. The other half get 2 full reads, with one by a member of the Adcom.

Stanford has also been fairly open about their admissions process:

http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=66225

Assuming 15 minutes for a standard application review, admissions readers collectively spend a minimum of 9,700 hours evaluating 38,800 student hopefuls. Add 30 minutes or more to absorb each of the most complex files. It used to be that every application would be read twice. Now, only one reading is guaranteed, although—thanks, Mom and Dad—every legacy application still gets two sets of eyes. “In the Fred days,” says assistant dean of admission Debra von Bargen referring to Hargadon, “one person could read everything or at least read it after everyone else had gone through. You can’t do that anymore. It’s impossible.”

The process is the same in each of the two admissions cycles—restrictive early-action (November 1-December 15), and regular (January 1-April 1). Admissions officers do their reading, making notes in the time-tested Stanford method of mnemonics; CPE, for instance, means “See Personal Essay.” In the latter half of the cycle, reading gives way to decision making. Committees composed of admissions officers (typically three or more) and either the dean or an assistant dean, who serves as chair, convene to hear officers present their candidates and field questions. Then there’s a vote. If a majority agrees, the candidate is admitted; otherwise he or she is denied, put on the waitlist or moved to a larger committee for further review.

Some applications can be screened relatively quickly and rejected. Some can probably be screened relatively quickly and fast-tracked through admissions. A large portion are competitive but come down to a numbers decision, and may come down to a committee vote and/or how hard an Adcom member lobbies for a particular applicant.

I would highly recommend both reads.