Overheard in Committee: 2016 Early Decision Edition
We Admit It! The time for Early Decision Committee has arrived. Committee is when our entire dean staff gathers to discuss our many talented Early Decision applicants, and to build the Class of 2021 one student at a time. These meetings feature meaningful, thought-provoking and engaging discussions covering all parts of the application review process.
Throughout these discussions, we do our best to give our readers an inside look into what actually goes on in our committee room. What questions are raised? What topics are posed? What stands out to committee members? To help answer such questions, we want to pull back the curtain, and let you in on what we discuss and why we discuss it. So, with that, we present our first “Overheard in Committee” blog of the 2016-2017 admission cycle, brought to you by Associate Dean David Trott.
When it comes to Early Decision this year, some things have changed and some things have stayed the same. Our band of merry decision makers has finally hunkered down in our beige windowless decision making committee bunker replete with snack cart (the same as always), two large screen monitors (a change), and a great group of applicants (both a change and the same)!
One thing that hasn’t changed for us when reading applications is the significance of the pickle. No wait, that’s an old Arlo Guthrie reference, I can’t use that . . .
One thing that hasn’t changed for us when reading applications is the significance of the essay! Yes, much better . . .
Here’s what I overheard in committee the other day regarding an applicant’s essay: “I learned a lot about her sister, but nothing about her.” The essays are a big part of the application (some would say they’re Brobdingnagian) because they provide a platform for really getting to know applicants beyond the numbers presented on the transcript and test scores. Combine the essays with the extra-curricular activities and this is where we hope to find the zeitgeist of a student, their true essence, their raison d’etre, their defining moment or moments.
What many students struggle with when it comes to the essays is what’s beyond the story they tell us. How has that story impacted you? How are you different because of what you told us? Why was this story important enough for you to write about? We’ll often read wonderful stories about great experiences written in great detail and well-constructed, but lacking in expression. Remember that the essays written for us are not being graded like an English paper (well, okay, some of us are pretty strict when it comes to grammar and spelling), but graded more on the value added.
You may not think you have something special to write about, but you do. The topic itself is not what’s important, it’s what made it important to you that’s important. So write on, people! We can’t wait to learn more about who you are.
And if you’re looking to hear a great story over the Thanksgiving break, chances are if you turn your radio on at noon on Thursday somewhere along the dial you’ll find Arlo Guthrie’s classic song “Alice’s Restaurant” playing. Of course you could also just go to YouTube . . . Either way the committee and the entire admission office wishes everyone a wonderful holiday!
David Trott
Associate Dean of Admission
Comments are closed on posts older than one year, but we still want to hear from you. If you have a comment or question for us, please email admission@wm.edu.
Hi! Thank you so much for these blog posts. They really relieve a lot of stress during the ED waiting period. I’m just wondering…are decisions being released in the first week of December as usual?
@NJ, you are more than welcome. We are happy to hear that you find these posts useful! Yes – we are still on pace to release decisions by the first week of December as planned. Happy Thanksgiving!
Does that mean around late next week?
Pointless for me to answer, but I think that means the week of December 4th, the first full week of December.
@NJ & @Robbie, we will release decisions as soon as we are able, while still being thorough and careful in our review process. Decisions will be released by early December. While we cannot give you a definitive date, this means that you can expect to hear from us at some point over the next two weeks.
Thanks for this blog posting. And good to know decisions will come out first week ofDecember. If I didn’t get an email after submitting my application but I can see it was downloaded prior to the Early Decision deadline am I safe to assume all is okay with my application?
@Madeline McQuillan, yes, all should be well with your application. If you would like email confirmation of this, or if you have any specific questions about your application, you are welcome to email our office next week at admission@wm.edu.
Thanks to you and the team for taking time during the admissions process to write these blogs each year. It reduces the stress a little. Happy Holidays.
@Robbie, it’s our pleasure to assist you during the college application process. Happy Holidays to you, too!
Thank you all for taking the time to write these! I feel a little less anxious and a lot more relaxed about the future!
@Alondra, thank you for your comment. We’re happy to hear that you enjoy these posts!
Thank you for writing this post! I have been checking the website and my email non-stop. While I do not have the best SAT scores and I am not a genius. I am hoping for the best upon being accepted. I am glad William and Mary works as a community to get work done! Thank you for all that you do… No joke. 🙂 Happy Holidays!
@Anxious Future Tribe?, Happy Holidays to you, too! Hang in there. If you applied Early Decision, you will be hearing from us within the next two weeks (by early December). Have a terrific rest of your Thanksgiving weekend.
Thank you for taking the time to write this post, it definitely eased some of my stress as the first week of December approaches! Also, love the Arlo Guthrie reference- my Latin teacher forces us to listen to all 18 minutes of “Alice’s Restaurant” every year before Thanksgiving Break. 🙂 Looking forward to hearing from William & Mary!
@Ashlynne, you just made Dean Trott’s day. Sounds like your Latin teacher has great taste! We hope that you had a great Thanksgiving weekend. You will be hearing from our office by the middle of next week.
Yes, I echo that sentiment! Your posts here definitely take the edge off the stress of the wait so thank you very much! I grew up listening to my family’s protest music and a Thanksgiving tradition of our is for all the family, extended and otherwise, to sing Alice’s Restaurant in its entirety together after dinner. The middle of next week you say? Ok. Gulp. Bring it on! Thank you!
@Claudia, what a fantastic Thanksgiving tradition! And you’re more than welcome. Thank YOU for your interest in William & Mary.
I worry when I read about the importance of the essay because it is the only part of the application that can be “massaged”. Wealthy parents can spend hundreds or even thousands on essay coaches to craft the perfect essay. I’m sure the admin office can spot some of those, maybe by comparing the essay to the written score on the ACT, but I feel certain that some must be missed.
Of course maybe I’m just worried because my son did not even let me read his, said it was too personal;). We had an aunt read it (a W&M alumni) and make recommendations, that’s it.
I’m a strong believer that if he does not get in, that it will be for the better because he would not of been up to the challenge. However I do worry that if he was close and is denied acceptance was it because other parents “helped” their child on the essay more then we did.
We do love this blog and the admit it posts, and personally I am glad not to have your job right now, your hours and stress level have to be high.
I spent a lot of time on my essay, and I don’t worry about that kind of thing. No amount of money will replace his own original essay. Don’t worry! If he spent a lot of time on it, and it means a lot to them, they can see it. Trust the admissions officers, they probably know.
Robbie, you sound like a very mature teenager! I’m not sure what is considered a lot of time, I think my son spent a max of 25 hours, which seemed like a fair amount of time to me.
I see the essay as a battle of wits for the families hiring the essay coaches. The essay needs to be well written and that includes the personal aspect, without drawing the suspicion of the admission staff. I have no doubt they are aware this happens, and am curious how they deal with it.
Regardless, good luck with your application!
@Robbie, it sounds like you spent a lot of time and effort on your essay, something that we very much appreciate. Carefully crafted essays enable us to get a thorough glimpse into an applicant’s personality, voice, and style. You are right that such essays catch the admission committee’s attention. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
@Bill W, we are aware that there are essay support services available to some students that may not be available to others. The purpose of the essay, as well as our holistic review process in general, is to help us gain an understanding of how a student might contribute to our campus community. Coaching or no coaching, a genuine and informative essay is something of value, and helps us learn more about a given student. We appreciate your family’s sincere interest in William & Mary, and look forward to reviewing your son’s application.
Will there be a Part 2 to these “Overheard in the Committee ED” posts? They’re great to read!
@WM Applicant, another “Overheard in Committee” post was published this evening. Enjoy!
I am a huge Arlo pickle fan! I saw him in concert last year and when I read this I was actually listening to Alice’s Restaurant. This is so weird and awesome at the same time. This lovely post has truly made my day, both for the lovely pickle, and updating us on the admissions process.
@Martha H., Dean Trott gives you two big thumbs up, and compliments you on your taste in music. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for these posts! Out of curiosity, I have a procedural question. Are all applications reviewed in Committee, or are some approved or denied simply as a result of the two readings? Either way, Committee is clearly a huge undertaking, but I have always been curious which applications actually go through the whole process. Thanks!
@Hopeful, great question. Each application is seen a minimum of two times by two different members of our team. One of these reads will be completed by your regional dean, who is familiar with schools in your area. After these two reads are completed, there are some applications where a consensus has been reached. Many applications, however, do not yet have a final decision. These are the applications that we discuss and review during Early Decision committee.
Thank you all for updating this blog quite frequently! As an ED applicant, my anxiousness is slightly appeased through these posts (I think it is impossible for the anxiousness to be appeased fully until I receive my decision). Thank you for taking time out of your day to share the progress with us. I am curious, though – what snack is the most popular in committee? Thank you!!
@Patiently Anxious, to be a bit anxious is perfectly normal. Hang in there – you’ll be hearing from us soon. As for the most popular snack in committee, that depends on who you ask. A few examples… Dean Trott loves Cheez-Its. Dean Pettengill likes Little Bites Crumb Cakes. Dean Tripp Jr. eats Rolos with great enthusiasm. And Dean Harlan thoroughly enjoys Butterscotch Krimpets. As you can tell, we eat super healthy.
These blog posts are another reason why William & Mary is so exceptional, as no other college I know of has something like the Overheard in Committee thing. It is really great to read these humorous posts!
@Gabriela, it’s great to be able to help our prospective students in any way that we can. We’re glad that you enjoy this blog!
Hey WM blogs please tell me when the decision is please please please i need this really bad blease give it to me please come on guys i need it please
@Jason Derulo, mmmmm, whatcha say? That you want to know when decisions are being released? We know our applicants are anxious to hear from us. We are still on pace to release decisions by early December, and assure you that you will be hearing from us in the near future. Instead of ridin’ solo, we are working together as a team to finalize and organize everything so that we can release decisions soon. We appreciate your patience!