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

Originally posted on Himalayas