<p>Each applicant’s file is rated in four areas. See: [Keys</a> to the Kingdom - Boston Magazine](<a href=“http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/keys_to_the_kingdom/]Keys”>http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/keys_to_the_kingdom/)</p>
<p>“…admissions officers start by assessing each applicant in four areas (academics, extracurriculars, personal qualities, and athletics) on a scale of one (best) to six (worst). Those who pass this initial threshold move forward to a second and sometimes third reader for further appraisal; the rest form the first batch of rejects, their folders marked with dismissive notes such as “below the edge” or “case falls flat.” Small teams of admissions officers, each responsible for one of the 25 or so geographic regions into which Harvard divides its applicants, then scrutinize the survivors for as long as five days. Between 5,000 and 7,000 applicants proceed to the last and most contentious stage, the full committee meeting, in which all 35 admissions officers debate and vote on who will make the final cut.”</p>