So you’re maybe probably feeling a bit in the dark regarding how, exactly, selective colleges read student applications.
Which is understandable. They tend not to advertise, and it sometimes takes lawsuits to reveal things.
But we got you.
Below is a comprehensive guide for students applying to highly selective universities. It explains the (fairly intricate and often confusing) process of college admissions, including how admissions officers evaluate applications through committee-based evaluation (CBE) and the use of specific rating scales and rubrics from institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford.
In particular, we’ll highlight the importance of "fit" between an applicant and a college's mission, offering strategies for students to stand out through their academic records, personal statements, and extracurricular activities.
Ultimately, it aims to demystify the selection process and provide insights into what makes a "standard strong" applicant.
And don't worry, we're here to give you clear, actionable insights and a healthy dose of encouragement, because you've got this!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click to skip ahead)Who Are These Admissions Officers?
First things first, let's get to know the folks on the other side of the desk, your friendly (and very busy) Admissions Officers (AOs).
Key for framing your approach: Think of them as super-savvy strategists, not gatekeepers. They’re generally looking for ways to build a case to admit you, not reasons to ding you.
Here's what they're up to:
Territory managers & program experts: AOs typically manage a specific geographic territory (like your state or region) or an academic program. This means they’re a useful resource and are responsible for answering your questions. They're also experts in understanding the unique grading systems, transcripts, and academic opportunities that vary from school to school within their region.
Some light speed reading: AOs often read applications incredibly quickly, usually somewhere between 5-15 minutes per application. (On a first read, they’re often right at the edge of skimming, if not actually skimming, which impacts how you should evaluate what changes are worth your time to make in your application.)
Looking beyond "Like": While their opinions matter, AOs aren't just admitting students they "like." They adhere to specific rating scales and "checks and balances" to ensure fairness.
Predicting your future potential: Their job isn't just to look at what you've done, but to assess your past performance and predict your future potential to contribute to their college community. (For more on this, check out this guide to Core misunderstandings of the admissions process.)
Not always (in fact, probably rarely) subject experts: Keep in mind that AOs are often young professionals (many are in their 20s and 30s) with bachelor's degrees, frequently in social sciences or humanities. This means they're usually not subject experts in your chosen major. So, when you're writing about that super-niche quantum physics project, be careful of too much overly technical language!
They also burn the midnight oil, reading hundreds of applications during peak season.
Ratings & Rubrics: Translating Your Application into "Admissions-Speak"
Ever wondered how your application gets "scored"?
Great. ‘Cause that’s what we’re going to talk about next.
Selective colleges use a system of ratings and rubrics to quantify different parts of your application. They put their readers through extensive training to ensure everyone understands the college-specific rating scale. This helps manage the massive volume of applications, systematize the process, and reduce bias.
For example, schools like Yale, Stanford, and Harvard use rubrics with different components and rating scales (e.g., Yale uses 7-1 for Extracurriculars, Harvard uses 1-5 for Academic, 1-6 for Extracurricular, etc.).
Let's peek at Harvard's "Personal" rating, because it's a big one.
Harvard's Personal Rating: This assessment looks at what kind of effect you might have on others at Harvard and beyond. It's about your positive impact throughout your life, considering your potential contributions to dining hall conversations, study groups, and even society after graduation. AOs look at info from teachers, counselors, essays, extracurriculars, and interviews. Here's the key: characteristics not always synonymous with extroversion are valued. Being reflective, insightful, and dedicated can lead to higher personal ratings. So, no need to be the loudest in the room to shine.
It’s worth noting that “perfect” ratings are incredibly rare and don't guarantee admission. So, breathe easy—it's about presenting your authentic self, not chasing perfection.
What Makes a "Standard Strong" Applicant Truly Stand Out?
When every part of your application provides valuable information and context, that's when you elevate from "standard strong" to truly exceptional.
How exactly do you achieve that?
Here's what selective colleges are looking for to make you shine:
A strong personal voice: This is about being genuine and authentic. Let your true self ring through your entire application.
A compelling story: Craft an overall application narrative (note though that doesn’t mean you have to use narrative structure for your essay) that grabs attention and gives them a window into who you are.
Lack of pretentiousness: Authenticity and humility go a long way in presenting yourself. Be confident, but stay grounded.
Genuine curiosity: Demonstrate a real, lived interest in your fields of study based on actual experiences. Show them you're eager to learn.
We like to call these the "Admission Nutrients". They include:
Intellectual Curiosity: Will you thrive and contribute? Do you take agency to go "beyond the surface" with topics that genuinely excite you?
Service to Others: Do you care about others? Are you looking to solve global issues or specific causes?
Collaboration: Do you understand the value of diverse perspectives, skills, and talents when working with others?
Leadership and/or Initiative: What kind of positive impact will you make on campus? Will you take advantage of resources and opportunities?
Consistent Engagement: Can you stick with things for the long haul? Have you invested in yourself and your community in a sustained way?
Beyond academics, remember to showcase your full self:
Extracurricular depth: Focus on meaningful involvement rather than just a long list of activities. Quality over quantity.
Personal projects: Got a cool independent initiative? Show it off!
Community engagement: How have you positively impacted your community? Share those stories.
Unique experiences: Don't shy away from sharing unusual experiences or perspectives that have shaped who you are.
The Magical "Fit" Factor (and Why Mission Statements are Your Secret Weapon)
This is a big one: Colleges are looking for students who meet their institutional needs, priorities, and enrollment goals. As colleges become more selective, their objectives get more complex and specific, often including “demonstrated interest” and unique mission-driven initiatives.
What are “Institutional Priorities?” The guide above gets into detail, but here’s the short version: Colleges have varying priorities every year for particular kinds of students they’re especially looking to admit. This can include everything from recruited athletes and legacies (yep, those apply to potential donors too) to geographic diversity (living in a less common state for that college) and gender balance (e.g., more men at liberal arts colleges, more women at some STEM schools). They also look for students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences (like low-income, rural, veteran, or first-generation students) and those with undersubscribed academic interests.
Unlocking Mission Statements: College mission statements aren't just fancy words on a website—they are a key to demonstrating your fit. They tell you exactly what the institution values.
Pitzer College, for example, emphasizes engaged, socially responsible citizens who value social justice, intercultural understanding, and environmental sensitivity.
Yale University seeks aspiring leaders committed to improving the world through outstanding research and free exchange of ideas.
Swarthmore College values intellectual curiosity, creative problem-solving, generosity, civic engagement, and a willingness to work hard and seek help.
MIT looks for alignment with its mission to "make the world a better place," a collaborative spirit, initiative, risk-taking, hands-on creativity, intensity, and the ability to prioritize balance.
Are there overlaps in those missions above? Sure. But are there also differences in focus and emphasis? Yup.
Actionable Tip: When writing supplemental essays, especially "Why Us?" essays, read the college's mission statement!
For example, Harvey Mudd College's mission is to educate engineers, scientists, and mathematicians who understand the impact of their work on society. When asked how their goals align with Harvey Mudd, a student who talks about wanting to join a clinic team focusing on AI to help human feelings (Student B) demonstrates a stronger fit than a student who just talks about loving discovery and innovation in a general sense (Student A). Student B connects their interest to the humanities and social sciences aspect of HMC's mission, showing a deeper alignment.
The Admissions Journey: A Behind-the-Scenes Look (Committee-Based Evaluation)
Many selective colleges use what’s called a “Committee-Based Evaluation” (CBE) process to read, evaluate, and rate applications. This isn't just one person making a decision—it's a multi-stage process.
Let's break down a typical CBE process from December to March:
Sorting (December - January): Your application file gets sorted into an AO's “queue” in their system. Each AO typically receives about 800 files, primarily based on their geographic territories.
Reading (January - February): This is where the magic happens.
The “Driver” (Territory Manager): This AO steers the conversation, focusing on your academics, recommendations, and your regional/state/school context.
The “Passenger” (Guest Reader): This AO provides another set of eyes, focusing on your personal side—family context, activities, personal statement, and supplemental essays.
Prep (February): After the initial reading, AOs individually narrow down their lists of potential admits and waitlists from their regions. They run data reports and make “cuts” based on imbalances or preferences. Then, they write 200-500 word "preps" for each student they want to admit or waitlist, defending why that student should be admitted. Think of it as their elevator pitch for you.
Full Committee (February - March): The AOs gather in a larger setting. Each AO gives a brief data presentation about their region's goals to prevent “overbalanced” regions. They then read their “preps” and advocate for their students. While most decisions are agreed upon, AOs sometimes vote on “split” decisions. Common committee questions include things like:
“What got you to an admit?”
“What about the B's?”
“Doesn't this feel waitlist-y?”
“Where's the intellectual curiosity?”
and “This kid is cool, but what institutional priorities do they meet?”.
Shaping (March): Even after the full committee, the class is often still too large and might have imbalances (e.g., too many students from one region, not enough Pell-Eligible students). During this final “shaping” phase, some students who made it through CBE and committee might get “shaped out” and moved to the waitlist. This process helps the college reach its target admit number, hoping a certain percentage will enroll.
It's a lot, right? But understanding this process can empower you to craft an application that truly shines.
Ready to Nail Your Application? We've Got Your Back!
Feeling a little overwhelmed? That's totally normal! The good news is, you don't have to navigate this journey alone.
We’ve got around 600 blog posts on different aspects of the application process—and if you’re looking for core resources, check out our college application hub.
We also have fantastic courses designed to help you with the most crucial parts of your application, like:
How to Write an Outstanding Personal Statement: This video course helps you brainstorm and polish the 650-word main essay for the Common Application.
How to Create a Compelling College Application + Supplemental Essays: This course covers the rest of the application, with resources for your college list, school-specific supplemental essays, and activities
And a bunch more.
Or if you’re looking for one-on-one support, check out
One-on-One Essay & Application Support: Work with our essay specialists to bring more ease, purpose, and even joy to your application process, creating an application you're truly proud of.
Matchlighters Scholars Program: We offer FREE essay and application support to qualifying high-achieving, domestic students from low-income households.
Here’s the biggest takeaway:
Remember, your unique story and experiences are your superpower. Focus on being your authentic self, showing genuine curiosity, and demonstrating how you'll be a fantastic fit for the colleges on your list. You've got this!
Tom Campbell (he/him) is an eternally extra Gemini who has spent the past seven years helping students and families navigate the college admissions process—one alliterative/assonant aphorism at a time. Prior to joining College Essay Guy, he worked as a college counselor at Lakeside School and an admissions officer at Pomona College and College of the Holy Cross (his alma mater). He stans em dashes and semicolons, Kacey Musgraves (all eras, not just star crossed and Golden Hour), superior breakfast burritos, and complaining about space tourism.
Top Values: Authenticity | Fun | Vulnerability
