Former Admissions Officer (Application Reviewer)
Responsibilities
- Conduct full application reviews using Empowerly’s AdCom evaluation rubric
- Provide clear academic ratings based on grades, rigor, curriculum progression, and major alignment
- Evaluate extracurricular involvement, leadership, impact, and distinction, including recognition in major competitions
- Review essays for narrative strength, authenticity, clarity, intellectual vitality, and institutional match
- Identify academic inconsistencies (e.g., grade trends, B’s/C’s in core subjects) and address them with tactful, realistic feedback
- Apply and clearly explain rating scale distinctions, including high-level academic validation (e.g., national or international recognition)
- Deliver actionable recommendations for improvement across academics, activities, and storytelling
- Tailor overall application feedback to specific university contexts when applicable
- End each review with constructive encouragement and clear next steps for strengthening the application
- Complete reviews thoroughly and efficiently (initial reviews may require 30+ minutes)
- Maintain integrity by releasing assigned reviews that present a conflict of interest (e.g., reviewing one’s own student)
- Monitor the AdCom portal regularly for assigned reviews
- Participate in calibration discussions and mock review exercises to ensure consistency across reviewers
- Monitor Empowerly email account and Slack account for up-to-date Empowerly communications
Minimum Qualifications
- Prior experience in undergraduate admissions evaluation (former admissions officer strongly preferred)
- Deep understanding of selective college admissions standards and committee evaluation processes
- Ability to evaluate academic rigor across varied high school curricula (AP, IB, honors, etc.)
- Strong written communication skills with the ability to provide precise, actionable, and tactful feedback
- Ability to apply standardized rubrics consistently and explain rating distinctions clearly
- Strong time management skills and ability to meet review deadlines
- Proactive communication well before key deadlines
- Commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics
Preferred Qualifications
- Former admissions officer at a top 50 national university
- Experience evaluating applicants to highly selective institutions (including Ivy League and competitive STEM programs)
- Familiarity with national and international academic competitions (e.g., major STEM research competitions, humanities competitions).
- Experience participating in admissions committee discussions and rating calibration