College admissions officers read into applicants’ lives

 

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It’s almost midnight and you’re weary from reading the essay question a million times. You finally figure out what to write for your personal statement. However, have you thought about who actually reads your application? If you’re applying to University of California, Berkeley this year, chances are your application may land in the hands of Dr. Shelley Enger, an external Freshman Application Reader and alumna of Cal.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions hires her as an external reader for around three intensive months to read thousands of freshmen applications. Having gone through prior extensive ongoing training during the reading season, Dr. Enger and others like her evaluate every application from cover to cover. Each application is taken very seriously, and not just one, but up to five readers may go over an application.
“We consider it a privilege to read the personal stories of so many high school students, which we hold strictly confidential,” Dr. Enger said. “We give each application our full attention.”
Once external readers and Admissions staff finish reviewing applications, the full-time staff will make a decision on who is admitted.
“When it comes down to choosing students, it isn’t a matter of this student versus that one,” Dr. Enger said. “No two students are alike and each has the potential to contribute to the UC Berkeley campus in different ways.”
As a tip, it’s smart to schedule interviews or talk to admission directors stationed in California because they will most likely be the person who reads your application. Building early bonds with the officers may increase your chances of admission. Having your reader in mind as you write your personal statement will make it like a conversation.
Right now, most admissions officers are on their travel period, visiting schools and college fairs. Assistant Admissions Director of Whitman College in Washington Jee Wun Lee is the representative and primary reader for California applications. She admits students who meet the college’s GPA and test score line and takes those who are questionable to a committee of ten. During the committee meeting she presents each applicant and the members take a vote on whether to admit the student.
Both Dr. Enger and Ms. Lee love the personal statements because it is what makes the data on the application come alive. It’s their chance to meet students in essay form.
“There will be times when I see a student with an impactful essay I admitted at orientation, be so glad to see them, ready to give him a hug, and the student looks at me strangely thinking ‘who are you?’,” Ms. Lee said. “It’s so funny because I’d be sitting in a coffee shop reading essays and break down into tears because how powerful some of the essays are.”