Those who earn an academic 2 typically score in the mid-700s or higher on the SAT — or 33 or higher on the ACT. An academic 3 denotes an applicant with “mid-600 through low-700 scores” on the SAT or a 29 through 32 on the ACT. Nonetheless, each alumnus later produces a report evaluating the pros and cons of the high schooler they spent roughly 60 minutes getting to know. The interviewer handbook details what criteria the interviewers use to judge applicants — as well as the nitty-gritty of how Harvard wants these conversations to go down. Things typically kick off when Harvard purchases students’ test scores and contact information from standardized testing companies such as the College Board and ACT Inc., which administer the SAT and the ACT, respectively.
Schools also use test scores from standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT to gauge your understanding of certain subjects nationally. Many schools publicize the median GPA and test scores of admitted applicants in order for prospective students to get an idea of the scores they will need in order to be considered for admission. The goal for applicants is to submit an application with components equal to or above the admissions standards set by the admissions office. The distinction between information that is verified and verifiable is more subtle, but more important.
Without context, what does your 4.2 GPA really indicate? Without understanding the course rigor available to you, what is the significance of 2, 4, or 6 AP classes? Colleges will not make decisions on any application without examining all such information available to them. When making admissions decisions, colleges and universities in the US don’t just look at grades and test scores.
There are more colleges that extend trust to applicants by allowing them to self-report grades and test scores rather than requiring an official transcript and score reports when they apply. But grades and scores are verifiable by having students submit final transcripts and test scores once the student enrolls. It’s imperative to acknowledge the subjectivity of the comprehensive admissions process. Using this approach, applicants are judged based on their essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities in addition to their grades and test scores. In most cases, admissions officers review the applications of students from a particular region of the country. If you live in Los Angeles, the odds are good that the officer who reads your application will be reviewing materials from other LA residents as well.
Admissions offices at universities and colleges around the world are inundated with thousands of applications each year. With some institutions receiving as many as 50,000 applications for a single admissions cycle, it can be overwhelming for admissions officers to review each application thoroughly.
You would just be looked at based on grades, rigor, etc. You mention academic “cutoffs” and passing the academic review, what do the standards look like for most t20 schools? I.e; SAT needs to be at or above the schools average or GPA needs to be above x. This is a great question and I wish I had a great answer. Frankly, I wish schools didn’t waitlist as many students as some of them do. I’ve personally been in 300+ high schools across NJ, PA, CT, VA, MA and several other states.
The process
Certainly one takeaway I’ve had from most schools is that academics drive this process. A good place to start is their self-reported middle 50%. GPAs are tricky, but most admitted students had at or very near a 4.0 unweighted with the most demanding curriculum. Also depending on the school, waitlist conversion may not be great. Usually the students have picked other schools and are happy with their decision now. For example, maybe you normally convert 40% of what you admit but waitlist converts at 20%.
So, how do admissions offices actually process such a high volume of applications? Here are some key steps that are typically involved in the admissions process:
- Initial screening: Admissions officers will often conduct an initial screening of applications to ensure that they meet basic requirements such as academic qualifications and deadlines.
- Review process: Applications that pass the initial screening are then reviewed in more detail by admissions officers who assess factors such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
- Decision making: After reviewing each application, admissions officers make decisions on whether to admit, waitlist, or deny applicants based on the institution’s admissions criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take for an admissions office to review an application?
A: The time it takes to review an application can vary depending on the institution and the volume of applications received. Some schools may take weeks to review each application thoroughly, while others may have a quicker turnaround time.
Q: Do admissions officers read every application in its entirety?
A: While admissions officers strive to review each application carefully, it is not always possible to read every application in its entirety, especially when dealing with a large volume of applications. In some cases, applications may be reviewed by multiple admissions officers to ensure a fair evaluation process.
