What are seasonal admissions reader jobs about?

I've heard that some colleges hire seasonal admissions readers. As a high school junior curious about college admissions, what does this job involve, and is it something I could consider doing in the future?

Seasonal admissions readers play a crucial role in the college admissions process. They're temporary, part-time workers typically hired during the busiest times of the admissions cycle, which is usually the fall and winter months.

Their primary responsibility is to read and evaluate a portion of the thousands of applications that colleges receive each year. This includes reviewing the application as a whole, which can include the transcripts, standardized test scores, essays, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities, among other things.

Through this process, readers gain a comprehensive understanding of each applicant's academic and personal profile, which they then present to the rest of the admissions committee. The ultimate goal is to make informed recommendations about which students would be good fits for the institution.

One important thing to note is that the specific duties of a seasonal admissions reader can vary based on the school. Some schools may require readers to focus solely on the academic components of an application, while others may ask that they give equal consideration to non-academic factors like extracurricular involvement and personal essays.

This role requires individuals to have strong critical thinking skills, impeccable attention to detail, and the ability to remain impartial and make unbiased evaluations. A thorough understanding of the college's admission policies, standards, and values is also crucial to this role.

As for your question about considering this as a future job, it's worth noting that many seasonal admissions roles often require a bachelor's degree and some experience in admissions or a related field like counseling or education. If you think you might be interested in this area, you could potentially seek internships or part-time jobs in your school’s admissions office or guidance counseling office when you're in college. This could provide valuable experience and insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of the admissions process. If you're genuinely passionate about education and the college admissions process, this could be a great fit for you!

Remember, seasonal admission readers play a key role in shaping the incoming classes at colleges and universities—they help identify which students may be a good fit, contribute to the diversity of the student body, and uphold the values of the institution. It can be a rewarding feeling to be a part of that process.