Which College Admissions Officers Have the Harder Job?

One of the more pleasant experiences of being a college advisor has been the opportunity to meet and chat with college admissions officers at all types of schools. For the most part they’re nice people, some more experienced as well as more knowledgable than others. But they all want to find a good reason to say yes to anyone who is seriously interested in their school.

Which college admissions officers have the harder job?

The ones who work for schools that must turn away the vast majority of those who apply?

Or the ones who work for schools that are far less selective, but also lesser known?

The answer: Both jobs are equally challenging.

Imagine being a college admissions officer at a school where you’re more likely to say no.

• You do not want to discourage interested students early in the application process. They take the bad news bad to their parents.
• You pray for thanks when your school does not ask you to schlepp the heavy, glossy brochures to a high school visit or college fair.
• Your chest tightens every time you’re asked: “So, what does it really take to get in?
• You want to roll your eyes every time a student over-apologizes for a bad grade.
• You return after weeks of travel to find a pile of files and messages from prospects, and you have to give them a standard answer.
• You’re relieved that’s it’s not your name at the bottom of a denial letter.
• But sometimes you get the blame for the denial anyway.

Now imagine being a college admissions officer at a school where you’re more likely to say yes.

• You definitely do not want to discourage interested students early in the application process; it might be the last opportunity to meet them.
• You still pray for thanks when your school does not ask you to schlepp the heavy, glossy brochures to a high school visit or college fair. But you want someone to help you bring them and take them away.
• Your chest tightens every time you’re asked: “So, why should I apply here?
• You want to roll your eyes every time a student mistakes that name of your school for another.
• You return after weeks of travel only to be asked why there is not a big pile of files and messages from prospects.
• You’re relieved that you almost never need to send a denial letter.
• But sometimes you get the blame for the denial anyway.

Be nice to whichever admission officers you meet. They would like to advocate your case for admissions, and sometimes scholarships. They are not “evil gatekeepers” who gleefully issue denials. But they are human beings with feelings and challenging jobs.

For more insights and assistance in the college admissions process, please contact me at stuart@educatedquest.com or call me at 609-406-0062.

Sharing is caring!