The Secrets of Elite College Admissions (MUST WATCH)

Summary

In this video, Jeffrey discusses a Wall Street Journal article by Jeffrey Selingo that reveals the complex and often subjective nature of elite college admissions. He highlights how top schools, like Emory University, face overwhelming applications, leading to a selection process influenced by ambiguous factors beyond academic performance, such as race and financial need. Through specific examples, Jeffrey illustrates how even qualified applicants can be unexpectedly denied. He emphasizes the randomness of admissions decisions and advises students to not take rejections personally, encouraging them to apply broadly and remain optimistic about their chances.

Takeaways

• 📚 The college admissions process at elite schools is often more subjective than applicants believe.
• 📈 Emory University received 30,000 applications for only 1,400 spots, showcasing intense competition.
• 💡 Admissions decisions can be influenced by factors like money, race, gender, and personal connections, rather than just academic performance.
• 🔍 The 'shaping' process is a final step in admissions where subjective judgments significantly impact decisions.
• ⏱️ Admissions officers may deliberate for extended periods over certain applicants, highlighting the complexity of decision-making.
• 📄 A student's background (e.g., being the child of an employee) can affect their chances of acceptance, even if they are not the strongest candidate academically.
• 🚫 Just because an applicant is qualified does not guarantee admission; many factors can lead to rejection.
• 🤔 Applicants should not take rejections personally, as many qualified candidates can end up in the deny pile for various reasons.
• 🔗 The outcomes at different colleges can vary widely, meaning rejection from one school does not imply rejection from all.
• 🌟 It’s essential for applicants to remain hopeful and not let one rejection dictate their overall application experience.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the article discussed in the video?

The article focuses on the secrets behind elite college admissions, highlighting the subjective factors that influence the decision-making process at top universities.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the high number of applications at elite schools?

The speaker uses Emory University as an example, noting that it received a record 30,000 applications for fewer than 1,400 spots in its incoming class.

What does the term 'shaping the class' refer to in the admissions process?

'Shaping the class' refers to the final step in the admissions process where officers decide which applicants to accept or deny, often based on subjective criteria beyond academic performance.

How does the admissions process at colleges like Emory differ from those that are need-based?

Emory University is need-blind, meaning financial need does not influence admissions decisions, while need-based colleges consider an applicant's financial situation when making admission choices.

What role do subjective factors like race and gender play in admissions, according to the video?

Subjective factors such as race and gender can significantly impact admissions decisions, as colleges aim to create a diverse student body and often prioritize these factors over traditional metrics like test scores.

What surprising example does the speaker provide about a legacy applicant?

The speaker mentions a legacy applicant who was rejected due to a lack of strong extracurricular involvement, illustrating that connections do not always guarantee acceptance.

What is one of the key takeaways for college applicants from the video?

One key takeaway is that applicants should not overly dwell on rejections from specific schools, as many qualified students experience varied outcomes at different institutions.

How long did admissions officers deliberate on the case of the child of an Emory employee?

The admissions officers deliberated for 12 minutes on the application of the child of an Emory employee, which is noted as a long time for such discussions.

What does the speaker suggest about the randomness of the admissions process?

The speaker suggests that the admissions process can be quite random, meaning that even highly qualified applicants might be denied admission based on arbitrary factors.

What recommendation does the speaker make regarding the full article?

The speaker encourages viewers to read the full article for more detailed insights into the college admissions process.