More About Reading

More About Reading I was planning an another entry on the reading process, and since many pertinent questions were asked in the last entry, I figured Id base this entry on those questions (a formal Questions Omnibus will follow in a few days). Sendie asked, Hrm how many apps do you usually evaluate per day? It depends on the reader. In our process, the more experienced admissions officers generally read an application in 20-25 minutes (remember, were professionals); newer readers might take 30-45 minutes to fully evaluate and summarize a folder. Were expected to read applications at least 4 full days each week (including weekends), in addition to the other non-reading work were responsible for. Sirius asked, How many early actions are you expecting? Its still unclear exactly how things will shake out, but I expect well be up slightly from last years ~2800. Ill post an official number when I can. Oren asked, Im assuming you start with the applications that have had all the components processed already, right? We evaluate the applications on a rolling basis: that is to say, yes, we start with the applications that are complete. As each new application becomes complete, it goes to the staff to be read. For applications that are still missing, say, a teacher evaluation, well wait a bit longer and read the folder when it becomes complete (we know you cant help this, so it is not held against you). It does not matter on what date your application is read; all applications are read in the same way with the same guidelines. Ultimately, we do not admit anyone until all of the applications have been evaluated. That will happen during Selection in early December; stay tuned. Mike asked, Is each admission officer assigned applications from a certain geographical region? Or are they random? I mean, will officer A only read applications from Texas, and officer B only from California? Unlike many schools, MIT is not regionalized in its admissions process. Each applicant is evaluated individually, within their own context (which does include geography, among other things). We do not admit by state, or region, or city, or high school. We admit individual students in an individualized process. Ej wrote, I love it that iTunes is playing in the background [of the stack of applications]. I need my music. Some readers need absolute quiet when evaluating folders; I need some good tunes. Let me tell you what I was listening to today so, this morning, I went with some friends for dim sum at China Pearl in Chinatown, and afterwards I spied a CD store that was having an amazing going-out-of-business sale. On Erics recommendation, I picked up albums by S.H.E and Jay Chou. In total, I picked up 4 of their CDs for only $10! Afterwards, I returned to the office with a full stomach and proceeded to work on applications for most of the rest of the day, listening to my new music. Tomorrow? I dont know yet And Sirius asked, Would you detail your process and include us into the adventure too? :) Thats what the blogs are for! More soon