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