How Long Does It Take to Read an Application?

In the iconic Tootsie Roll Lollipop commercial that many of us grew up watching when cable TV was still a thing (sorry, no shade Netflix), a curious child asks, “how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” This question, which sparked countless debates and left many of us pensive, is a parallel to the experience of reading a college application. Just as it is impossible to predict the exact number of licks needed to reach the sweet center of a lollipop, the process of reading a college application is often unpredictable — requiring careful attention to detail and lots of patience. Similar to the child’s search for an answer, navigating through an application can feel like a challenge that varies in length but ultimately provides deeper insight into an applicant’s story.

To provide the groundwork of this conversation, it is important to understand that our admission team goes through extensive training to holistically evaluate each and every application. Through our holistic process, we review both academic and non-academic factors as they relate to each student and the context of their environment. Just like those complex 5,000-piece puzzles, our aim is to understand as much of what an applicant shares about themselves in the application and create that final image of what makes this student them. Typically, applications are read twice or even three times to ensure that no stone is left unturned and to get us to that end result.

With that said, our team also recognizes the importance of time efficiency. This past fall cycle, we received approximately 83,000 applications. With only a few months to review each application, we cannot spend all the time in the world doing so because, if we did, you would probably hear back about your admission decision a year from now. We also have to keep in mind the other duties our admission team has such as on-campus presentations, responding to emails, and working on other projects—which limits our time even further.

To finally address the question burning in the back of your minds: no, we don’t have an average time it takes to read an application. Even I, as an admission counselor, vary in in terms of time it takes to review an application from start to finish... but don’t let this fool you into thinking some applications are more important or less important than others. It ultimately depends on how much information we learn about you throughout your application. And if we were to expand more on this, the average time it may take me to read an application may not be the same as my colleagues sitting in the cubicles right next to me. It’s like comparing the average time it takes you and your class to read Fahrenheit 451. Some of you may be naturally gifted readers, while some of you may have strengths in other subjects outside of English composition.

In easing your comfort, what we can assure you all is that we take our time to read your application but do so thoughtfully – we are professionals after all! Our admission team does an excellent job in doing so and we have for various years. All we can say is tell us your story on the application for us to learn about you and only you.

Written by: Leslie Escobedo, Assistant Director of USC Undergraduate Admission