Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes after you press “submit” on a college application? In this article, we’ll take a sneak peek behind the curtain of college admissions to give you a little insight into what the process looks like. 

Different colleges and universities will each have a unique process that they follow once they’ve received all materials required for your application to be complete. So keep in mind that the information provided here is just a general peek into admissions, and isn’t a one-size fits all process. 

Here we’ll go into more detail about what a lot of admissions offices are looking for as they complete their review process. 

Initial Screening

Once your application is received, the admissions office will screen your application to ensure that it is complete and generally that it meets basic eligibility requirements, such as deadlines, required documents and prerequisites. This may be done in conjunction with holistic review, or completely separate from it. It all depends on the institution and their internal processes. 

Holistic Review

During the review process, admissions counselors typically take a holistic approach. This means that they are not only considering your academics, but also your extracurricular activities, personal essays, recommendation letters and any additional information provided by the applicant. 

Academic Record

The academic record includes high school transcripts, GPA, level of rigor, and standardized test scores (such as the ACT or SAT), if submitted. These are all assessed based on the high school that you attend, meaning that students from schools without honors or AP/IB courses will not be directly compared to students from schools that do offer these kinds of academic programs. They assess the overall coursework, looking for evidence of challenging coursework and consistent academic performance. Keep in mind that schools may be reviewing this part of the application based on the major that you are applying to, so be sure that you have completed any prerequisite courses in order to be eligible for specific programs. 

Standardized Test Scores

While some colleges have moved towards test-optional policies, many will still consider standardized test scores as part of the application review process. So, be sure to submit scores only to those schools where you’d like them to be considered, or those that require them. These will then be utilized in conjunction with other academic factors. 

Note on test-optional policies: Some schools will take standardized test scores into consideration only if they are submitted, while others will ignore them completely if they are test-blind. Be sure to check in with each institution that you are applying to to understand their policies. If a school is test-optional, it is recommended to take a look at average scores of admitted students (you can do this in Scoir!) to see if it is a good idea for you to send them in. 

Extracurricular Activities and Achievements

Colleges value students who are engaged outside of the classroom, too. Admissions offices will assess the applicant’s involvement in clubs, sports, community service, part-time jobs, or any other activities that show leadership, passion, or initiative. But don’t forget to include activities like taking care of an elderly grandparent or younger siblings; these count too!

Personal Essays or Statements

The personal essay or statement is an opportunity for you as the applicant to tell the admissions office a little more about you. Admissions offices are looking for creativity, authenticity, and insight into a part of your life your application may not cover. They aren’t necessarily looking for the most unique story, but they are looking to learn more about your motivations and overall character. 

Note: If an institution requires a statement regarding why you’re applying to that specific university, make sure that you are editing this part to reflect the college or university that you are applying to at that moment!

Recommendation Letters

Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other individuals who know you provide valuable insight into your academic abilities, character, and potential for success in college. It is recommended to ask for a letter of recommendation from a college counselor and a teacher that knows you well. But, if you can’t obtain those letters, consider a coach, boss, or someone who oversees your community service efforts. 

Special Circumstances

A big part of holistic admissions is for the admissions committee to consider any special circumstances or challenges you have faced, such as medical issues, family responsibilities, or other disadvantages. Applicants are encouraged to provide context or explanations for any significant disruptions to their education. The additional information section of the application is a great place to input this information, but what is in your recommendation letters may also be considered. 

Final Decision

In making a final decision about an applicant, there is typically a second review, or admissions committee that makes decisions on acceptance, rejection, deferring, or waitlisting. These decisions are made based on a combination of factors, including academic qualifications, personal attributes, institutional priorities, and the overall strength of the applicant pool. 

As you can probably tell, the college application review process is very complex as it takes into consideration each unique mission, value and priorities of each institution. Admissions officers are looking for students who will be able to succeed within their institution both academically and socially. But they’re also just looking to learn more about you to get a full picture of who you are before admitting you to their institution. 

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