Know someone submitting college applications? Read from those who read applications.

A recent article in Inside Higher Ed about grade point average (GPA) and standardized testing becoming less reliable metrics in college admission decision making allowed me to think about how I approached application review during my three decades in the college admission profession.?At a time when public trust in higher education is being questioned like never before, I asked several senior enrollment leaders to share their approach to reading an application for undergraduate admission. While the application contains transcripts, recommendations, essays, activity lists, and the like, I wanted to hear how my well-respected colleagues developed their own approach to reading applications after many years in the profession. I asked how they approached application review, what they first looked for when opening a new application, and why??This is what they told me.

I like to start with the high school transcript to gauge the applicant’s scholastic accomplishments within the context of the school’s offerings and resources to 1) begin to understand the applicant’s strengths and interests as a learner, and 2) how those align with the institution’s academic expectations and offerings. I then move to the more personal and subjective aspects of the application to get a sense of what motivates the applicant and how the applicant might contribute to the college/university community in both the academic and extracurricular realms.

Paul Marthers, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Emory University

When I’m reviewing a file, I look first at the high school transcript, and in particular, the rigor of the courses completed. I think it’s critical in our roles as admissions counselors to ensure that students can thrive and be successful in a competitive academic environment like Lafayette. Gauging their desire and ability to take competitive courses gives me confidence they’ll be contributing members of our community in the classroom.?As the mom of a high school senior, I know first-hand the time and effort my son took to complete college essays to provide insight into his personal qualities and passions. The essay plays another key role in my review of an applicant and what I turn to next. Understanding a student’s values, character, and priorities helps me assess how they’ll engage others on our campus, and I enjoy seeing how their stories and experiences can contribute to our vibrant community.

Krista Evans, Dean of Admissions Lafayette College

Any college admission application holds a wealth of information. The additional credentials—a resume or letter of recommendation or additional essay—quickly make it seem a bit overwhelming; this goes for the candidate as well as the individual reviewing. Asking any person to reveal themselves to be ‘judged’ in this scripted and abbreviated manner may be considered harsh by some.? Add to it that many applicants, 17 or 18 years of age, have likely never had to be their own best advocate. My hope is that any review essentially puts the student ‘in front of me’ as if we are having a brief conversation. I am trying to determine what is important to the student and why they applied. My instinct is to first go to the area of study, so I have some context in review for individual interest/goals and institutional match. The major leads me to the academic record, both school profile and transcript, to see if there is some alignment given courses offered and area(s) of interest. This path may also disclose possibilities the applicant hasn’t even articulated. Any short answer or essay hopefully enhances what I have already read but more importantly it tells me how they plan to achieve their goals by sharing more about their character, creativity, or general curiosity. As a reader, you simply do not forget the candidates who link their areas of interest to the stories that share more about their ‘why’ or ‘how.’

Lori Greene, Vice President Enrollment Management Butler University

This year, one of the first things we need to consider is the sheer volume of applications we receive. Our application numbers continue to rise, so managing high volumes efficiently is a critical aspect of the process, and we often start by identifying candidates who meet basic eligibility criteria. To us, the transcript remains one of the most important credentials we evaluate. COVID-19 disruptions have left gaps in some students' educations, and it's crucial to assess their academic preparedness. We pay close attention to their academic performance, rigor of courses, and any trends or improvements that occurred over time. In the era of grade inflation, it's also essential for us to scrutinize the quality and consistency of the grades awarded. We look beyond the GPA itself to consider the context in which these grades were achieved, including the competitiveness of the high school they attended and the relative difficulty of the courses they took. Beyond academics, we look for a strong fit with our institution and program, as well as genuine interest in what we offer. Assessing a student's alignment with our values, goals, and culture is essential to building a successful and mutually beneficial academic relationship.

Colleen Peterson, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Rochester Institute of Technology

For me, while serving at smaller liberal arts colleges and R1 universities that strongly encouraged admission interviews, the optional interview write-up was something I often looked to first when diving into a new application.?This allowed me to see if the first impression made in the interview was supported in the letters of recommendation, activity list, transcript, etc. For a rising senior who made the time and effort to meet for an admission interview (in person or virtual), this was a strong indicator that the candidate saw a fit with my institution and wanted to explore it more fully.?I always enjoyed reading how my colleagues wrote about candidates they met or seeing my notes about a candidate who impressed me some weeks earlier. I often noted ‘will be a valued contributor to our community’ or ‘would make a terrific roommate’ as an indicator to others if I was strongly endorsing a candidate after the admission interview.

Many high school seniors are completing their college applications during the holiday season. Hopefully, the insights shared by these experienced admission professionals will provide some clarity during this rite of passage moment for young people taking their education to the next level.

Greg MacDonald, Sr Dir, Strategy and Operations, Huron

This post is my own and does not represent Huron’s positions, strategies, or opinions.