How Admissions Officers Make Decisions

March 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET

During this expert-led webinar from CollegeAdvisor.com, former Rice University Admissions Officer Brandon Mack pulls back the curtain on the decision-making process inside selective college admissions offices. Drawing on his real-world experience reviewing applications, Brandon will walk you through how files are evaluated, what stands out (and what doesn’t), and how admissions teams build an incoming class.

This session is designed to help students and families better understand what admissions officers prioritize so you can approach your applications with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

Causnlogowhite 2024

You'll learn:

How admissions officers read and score applications

What makes an applicant memorable in a competitive pool

How essays, activities, academics, and recommendations are weighed together

Common misconceptions about “perfect” applicants

Practical ways to strengthen your application based on how decisions are really made

Whether you’re early in your college planning journey or actively preparing applications, this webinar will give you a clearer picture of what matters most behind the scenes.

Click to register