Compiled by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Starting in 2003, the staff at Quintessential Careers decided to start an annual study with a small number of college admissions officials to track and discuss key trends and issues related to helping students get admitted to college. Here is the report for 2005.

[Looking for the most current report? Go to: Answers to Common College Admissions Questions.]

The 2005 Questions
After careful review of previous years results and the new developments and trends in college addmissions, we formulated these questions for our 2005 study:

1. Does your college/university have an early decision option for students who know your school is their top choice? If yes, what criteria do you look for in these students that is different than students who apply for regular admission. If no, why has your school chosen not to have such a program? What do you think are the most important factors that should go into a student's decision to apply to a college for early decision? Read the responses.
2. It seems like you cannot talk to one high school student who has not completed some amount of community service and the number of hours keep rising. How important is an appliant's involvement in community service to your admission decision? How does it rate compared to involvement in student activities and organizations? What does communty service say to you and your staff about an applicant? And with so many students now doing community service, does it given any applicant an edge? Read the responses.
3. We talk a lot to high school students about finding a college/university that is the right "fit" for them in terms of academics, size, location, etc. As you look at applicants, do you and your staff also look at "fit" of applicants? If so, what kinds of things go into judging "fit" -- and how can applicants better explain why they think they would be a perfect fit for your school? Read the responses.
4. Does your school require or recommend an essay from applicants? If yes, can you describe some of the characteristics of the best essays you have read over the past few years? What's your advice to an applicant who wants to make a personal statement with the essay? If no, why has your school decided not to use essays? Read the responses.
5. Can a student with a mixed academic record (we're talking A's to F's) in a tough curriculum (AP, IB, Honors) justify that record (due to illness, family issues, etc.)? What if balanced with high standardized test scores? In other words, can a student with such a mixed academic background find a path to admission to your college/university -- and if so, generally how must it be accomplished? Read the responses.

The 2005 Participants
We solicited the opinions of top admissions officers from a wide spectrum of colleges and universities -- both academically diverse (from liberal arts colleges to large state universities) as well as geographically diverse (from every corner of the U.S.). Each institution is highly regarded and ranked among the best in the United States.

Here are the wonderful admissions officials who responded to our study. Please feel free to follow the link to learn more about each person and his/her college/university. (Some of our participants were more forthcoming than others!)

• Daniel C. Walls, Dean of Admission, Emory University
• Jay E. Murray, Director of Admissions, Marist College
• Karen Guastelle, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Sacred Heart University
• Tracy Manier, Dean of Undergraduate Admission, St. Edwards University
• Karen G. Copetas, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Planning, Western Washington University

The 2004 Study
You can review the questions, answers, and participants from last year's study by going to Answers to Common College Admissions Questions: 2004

The 2003 Study
You can review the questions, answers, and participants from the original 2003 study by going to Answers to Common College Admissions Questions: 2003

All the Questions and Answers to Date
You can review all the questions and answers here: Answers to Common College Admissions Questions

Get More College Planning Resources
Quintessential Careers is your source for college, careers, and job-search information, resources, tools, and links. Go to our Go to College -- College Planning Resources section.