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What College Admissions Officers Look For: Advice from Former Readers

As you think about the application process, it can be tough to figure out what college admissions officers look for when they’re reading through their piles. Since there are so many components you might specifically be wondering what college admissions officers look for when it comes to specific topics such as the order of the activities list, importance of recommendation letters, or how to write a why school essay. Or, you might be wondering how to best navigate test optional policies or what the most impressive extracurriculars are. We at InGenius Prep are fortunate enough to have a team of esteemed former application readers from all top colleges across the States. And in our hunt for answers on what college admissions looked for we asked Former Admissions Officers from Dartmouth, Duke, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Bowdoin, Brown, UNC, and more, for their take on different topics that students have questions about.

• Former Admissions Officers Offer Tips on the Activities List
• Former Admissions Officers Offer Advice on Test Optional Policies
• School List Advice from a Former Admissions Officer with 20 Years of Experience
• Former Admissions Officers Discuss the Importance of Recommendation Letters
• Former Admissions Officers Discuss Personal Statement Red Flags
• Former Admissions Officers Offer Advice on the Why School Essay
• Former Admissions Officers Discuss Impressive Extracurriculars
• Common College Admissions Myths Debunked by Former Admissions Officers
• Former Admissions Officers discuss the Importance of College Interviews

Click through the blogs to see what our FAOs said when it comes to these different aspects of the application process. Their insights are very helpful in helping navigate what college admissions officers look for. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need help on your applications—or feel free to browse our blog, webinars, and podcasts for more insider information.