College application reading timeline?

Does anyone know when colleges typically start reading applications after we've submitted them? What's the usual time frame for this process? Just trying to get an idea of how everything works behind the scenes.

Colleges generally start reading applications soon after the application deadline, depending on the specific college and their internal processes. Here's a rough idea of their timeline:

1. Applications are submitted by the Early Action/Early Decision (EA/ED) or Regular Decision (RD) deadline.

2. Admissions officers take around two weeks to get organized and divide the applications among themselves. This is also when a high-level pre-screening process may occur if the college uses the Academic Index, which helps them determine which applications meet their academic threshold.

3. The first round of evaluations begins after the organization phase. Each application is reviewed in-depth at least once. During this time, your application undergoes a holistic review, including your transcript, test scores (if applicable), essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters. This process can take up to 4-6 weeks for EA/ED applications and longer for RD applications due to the volume of submissions.

4. After initial evaluations, admissions committees may convene to discuss specific applicants and compare them within the context of the overall applicant pool. This can take a few additional weeks.

5. Finally, decisions are made and sent to applicants. For EA/ED, decisions are typically announced in mid-December, while for RD, decisions are usually released around late March to early April.

Please note that this is a general guideline, and timelines may vary slightly among different colleges. Remember that admissions offices aim to give each applicant a fair and thorough review, so patience is key. Good luck with your applications!