Do admissions officers read additional info?

Will admissions officers really take the time to read it? Thanks for any advice! Hey there! From my experience when my child was applying to college, I can tell you that, yes, colleges do read the 'additional information' section on applications.

Do admissions officers read your entire application?

I completely understand the stress and anxiety that comes with the college application process. My child went through the same journey not too long ago. To answer your question, yes, college admissions officers do read the entire application.

Do colleges look at common app additional information?

Ultimately, this section is not required so it gets a lot less attention than other pieces of the application. Only use this section if you really need to. And remember how quickly admissions officers want to get through an application. Keep things short and sweet when it comes to the "Additional Information" section.

Do admissions officers fact check extracurriculars?

However, they do have ways to verify important aspects like test scores and transcripts, which are often sent directly from the testing agencies or schools. As for extracurriculars and awards, they may not verify every single one, but if something seems off or suspicious, they may look into it further.

How do admissions officers view extracurricular activities within an application?

Admissions officers evaluate different extracurriculars based on their relative impressiveness. While it may seem very subjective, there is actually a pretty clear ranking system. This system is known as the four tiers of extracurriculars. The first tier is for extracurriculars that are very rare and unique.

How to Correctly Use the Additional Information Section

Do admissions officers look at all 10 activities?

Quality not quantity

Admissions officers would far prefer to see “only” three or so activities that: a) Are aligned with your future academic/career goals. b) Demonstrate your ability to lead and get results (titles matter less than your actual duties/responsibilities).

How do admission officers verify information in college applications?

For example, if you mention an award or experience that is highly unusual or exceptional, they might do a quick check to ensure it's accurate. Furthermore, your counselor's endorsement or recommendation letters may corroborate the stories or achievements you discuss in your essays.

Do colleges actually check your extracurriculars?

Do they even look into it, or do they pretty much just take people at their word? Admissions officers don't have time to investigate all of these smaller claims, but they will almost certainly do some research if you participated in a very prestigious program or won an impressive award.

Do admissions officers look at all activities?

More than ever before, admissions committees are viewing students' extracurricular involvements and activities outside the classroom as demonstrations of their motivation, leadership skills, and commitment to their core passions.

What not to ask admissions officers?

What you do when you get to college is ultimately your business. But all the same, it's not a good idea to ask about the school's party culture or anything related to drugs and alcohol. Questions that make you seem uninterested. Don't ask the admissions officer questions that compare them to other schools.

Should you add additional information on Common App?

Is It Really Optional? Yes, the “Additional Information” section truly is optional! If you answered no to every question above, don't try to work a story so that it will fit, or come up with a story that isn't truly reflective of your experience.

Should I write additional information on Common App?

Remember, it's not necessary to add anything to the additional information section, so if there's a chance that what you are putting down could be viewed negatively, just leave it blank.

Why do colleges ask for information about extracurricular activities?

Admissions officers like to see school-sponsored activities on applications because it shows that you're interested in a field of study beyond the classroom.

What is a red flag for admissions officers?

What is an application red flag? Simply put, it's something on a college application that can make an admissions officer second guess how qualified an applicant is or if they're a good-fit for the school. A red flag can be as serious as a disciplinary infraction, or as simple as not following application directions.

How many admission officers read your application?

How many admissions officers are there? It depends on the school, but admissions readers often work in pairs. On the first pass, a new application may get a 10- to 15-minute review from that part-time hired application reader or another individual at the college or university.

What do admissions officers read first?

In general, admissions officers start by doing a 1-2 minute scan of a student's application to assess their academic qualifications. Applications whose grades and test scores do not meet a certain threshold will typically be marked for almost certain rejection.

Do admissions officers actually read essays?

Yes, every college essay is read if the college has asked for it (and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college's review process.

How do you stand out to admissions officers?

Admission officers seek students with strong character traits such as integrity, leadership, resilience, and initiative. Such attributes should shine through their essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvements.

Do admissions officers check social media?

Hesser says that if something in a college application is unclear, admissions staff will look to social media if it offers clarity on a matter. Admissions officers do look at social media accounts for prospective students, but the practice is declining, according to the Kaplan Test Prep survey.

Do admissions officers click links?

At the end of the day if you put in there it is for a reason that you want to show more about yourself to the admission officers and they are also interested in knowing more about you. So yeah, most certainly they do click on links. Well if they are printing out and reviewing then it is hard.

What are my chances of getting into college without extracurriculars?

While extracurriculars are beneficial, they are not the sole determining factor the admissions committee will consider. If you have other outstanding qualities and a compelling application, you will still have a chance of getting into your dream school!

Do admissions officers Google students?

Unless you specifically call out your social media accounts in your application, college admissions officers probably won't go looking for your profile. If they do, "they're looking for information to corroborate other parts of the application," Nguyen says.

What is the single most important thing admissions officers consider in an application?

Academic Achievement

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important for college-bound students to understand that grades are the most important factor that colleges will consider when evaluating applications.

What are admissions officers readers looking for?

Admissions officers want to know what kind of student you are and how you will fit into their campus community. The best way for them to understand this is through your essays. Students often share topics or stories that the admissions officers might not be familiar with.

How do colleges decide who to admit?

Offers of admission are based on each school's enrollment objectives. Making admissions decisions is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Large state schools may use a test score and GPA formula. Highly selective schools may have multiple reviewers with many voices weighing in on a decision.