Admissions Officers, On the Record
First-hand admissions officer perspectives on AP courses, Advanced Studies, high school course rigor, contextual review, future-ready skills, project-based learning, and whether students are disadvantaged when their school does not offer AP.
Turn these eight admissions-officer takeaways into a course plan
If you are comparing LJCDS, Bishop’s, and other San Diego private schools—or weighing AP, Advanced Studies, rigor, and college positioning—EdCommGlobal can help translate the series into a practical plan for your child’s grade level and goals.
1Part 1Cornell Admissions Officer Marina Fried: We Never Reject a Student Over One Score
Cornell admissions officer Marina Fried explains why scores and AP course selections aren't the deciding factor — admissions teams look for whole, alive students. The opening piece of our Admissions Officers Interview series.
Jan 8, 20264 min readRead
2Part 2UCSB Admissions Officer Cuca Acosta: Step Out of the AP Box and Truly Think
UCSB admissions officer Cuca Acosta explains why top public research universities care more about your critical thinking than the number of AP courses you take. A piece for families agonizing over course selection.
Jan 30, 20265 min readRead
3Part 3Michigan Admissions Officer Kris Tesoro: AP Is Not About Leaving College Faster
University of Michigan admissions officer Kris Tesoro explains why AP credits are not simply an exit strategy. At Michigan, students may arrive with several AP courses, but the culture still expects them to stay, explore, and use the full four years.
May 29, 20268 min readRead
4Part 4Admissions Officers Read Students Within Their Own High School Context
In video 4, admissions officers explain that students are evaluated within their own high school context, not by a flat comparison across schools.
Jun 1, 20266 min readRead
5Part 5Admissions Officers: AP Is a Brand; Rigor Is the Real Question
Video 5 explains that AP is ultimately a brand. Colleges care about actual rigor, not only the label attached to a course.
Jun 4, 20266 min readRead
6Part 6Admissions Officers on Future Skills: Do Not Teach Only to the Test
Video 6 emphasizes future-ready skills: close reading, writing, debate, critical thinking, and flexible learning across disciplines.
Jun 7, 20266 min readRead
7Part 7Harvey Mudd Admissions Perspective: Real Learning Is Not Memorizing the Answer Key
Video 7, from a Harvey Mudd perspective, highlights open-ended learning, learning how to learn, and why STEM needs humanity.
Jun 10, 20264 min readRead
8Part 8Michigan Admissions: No AP Is Not a Disadvantage by Itself
In video 8, Michigan admissions explains that no AP is not a disadvantage by itself; colleges evaluate subject preparation, rigor, sequencing, and context.
Jun 13, 20265 min readRead