Inside the World of College Admissions

*Collaborative Post

How Applications Get Evaluated

Ever wondered what’s going on behind the scenes when you’re waiting with bated breath for that college acceptance letter? The whole process can feel like an enigma wrapped in mystery. But let’s pull back the curtain a bit and explore how competitive colleges sift through applications to choose their future students.

### The Rise of Committee-Based Evaluation

Back in 2013, the University of Pennsylvania introduced a new way to evaluate applications called Committee-Based Evaluation, or CBE. Fast forward a few years, and by 2018, around 40 schools, including places like Rice and Cal Tech, were using it. And that number has only gone up. So, why did they switch? It’s all about giving each application more attention and a more thorough review. With so many students applying, schools needed a way to manage this influx without sacrificing quality.

Typically, each application gets around 6 to 8 minutes of review time. That may not sound like much, but it’s more than it used to be! Let’s look at how it works.

### The Initial CBE Read

The first step in CBE is where you make your grand entrance. This is when admissions officers get their first glimpse of who you are. They’re looking for academic prowess, leadership qualities, and genuine enthusiasm for their school. Each application is considered in the context of other applicants from the same high school. It’s like being sized up against your hometown peers first.

Admission officers often use CRM systems to organize these school groups by rank or GPA. So if you’re not at the top academically, this is where you might need to shine in other areas—like your personal essays or extracurriculars. After this initial reading, some applications move forward while others are set aside.

### The Crucial Committee Review

If you make it past the first stage, your application moves to the committee round. Here, you’re compared with others aiming for the same major or field of study. At this point, your intellectual curiosity and fit for the chosen program take center stage.

It’s not just about being smart or having leadership positions anymore. Now, they’ll dig into how you’ve pursued your interests and whether you’re really committed to the academic path you’re choosing. And here’s a tip from my days at Rice University: demonstrate why this particular college is THE college for you. Schools want students who are as excited about them as they are about finding the right students.

### Tips for Reducing Stress

Knowing how this process works can really take some stress off your shoulders. It’s never too soon to start thinking about what colleges are looking for and how you can fit into that picture.

For those who want to delve deeper into what colleges consider during admissions, here’s a related resource that might shed more light on this complex process.

Remember, it’s all about finding a match that’s as good for you as it is for the school. Make sure you’re preparing yourself to stand out in ways that go beyond grades and test scores.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.