Monday morning, 9:00 AM:\u00a0 Company in.\u00a0 Twelve admissions counselors.\u00a0 Twelve cups of coffee.\u00a0 Our mission?\u00a0 To decide who gets in.<\/p>\n
With so many remarkable candidates, just how do we decide?\u00a0 While some contend we could simply throw the applications into the air, grab a few thousand at random, and hope for the best, the Holy Cross admissions process is a democratic one, where all applications are voted on;\u00a0 majority wins.<\/p>\n
As today\u2019s committee fly on the wall, I would like to take this opportunity to shed some light on our unique process.\u00a0 So follow me, behind the closed doors.<\/p>\n
Every day, for nine hours a day, for about 5 weeks, we gather together, in the cozy space pictured below:<\/p>\n
<\/a> Back when we were reading all of your applications, we were also summarizing everything in your file, onto what we call a \u201creading sheet\u201d – a crucial piece of paper that houses a breakdown of your transcript, bits from your recommendations, quotes from the letter from your mom, impressions gathered from your interview, an evaluation of your essay, notes on the academic curriculum offered at your high school, a listing of your test scores (if you decided to submit them), bits about your extra-curriculars,\u00a0 awards,\u00a0 jobs,\u00a0 etc.<\/p>\n During committee, the reading sheets are projected onto the wall, one at a time, for all committee members to see.\u00a0 Everything in your file finds a place onto your reading sheet, and thusly, everything in your file is evaluated by twelve sets of eyes, before a decision is made.\u00a0\u00a0 With your reading sheet projected onto the wall, we do, in fact, talk about you. We talk about your achievements, your personality, your background, your goals, your successes, and your failures.\u00a0\u00a0 Conversations can last anywhere from two minutes to twenty \u2013 depending on the case.\u00a0\u00a0 If there are any questions, we rummage through the file and fill in the blanks.\u00a0\u00a0 We might re-read the essay.\u00a0 We might double-check the transcript.\u00a0\u00a0 We examine your school profile.\u00a0\u00a0 If necessary, we call your guidance counselor.\u00a0 We check again.\u00a0 And again.\u00a0\u00a0 And again.\u00a0 We might even call your mom. (I kid).\u00a0 The point is, when it comes to assessing your candidacy, there are no stones left unturned<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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