How to become an undergraduate external admissions reader

Ever wondered what it is like to be an External Admissions Reader at a university? Rachel recently had the opportunity to be an Undergraduate External Admissions Reader with UC Berkeley. Interested in learning more about this position and how to apply? Keep on reading!

1. How to Apply: The website higheredjobs.com has many different kinds of positions that you can apply for at various institutions. You can search jobs by category (Administrative, Faculty, Executive) and by school, type, and location. If you search by the Administrative Category under Admissions and Enrollment, you can see all of the admissions-related positions.

You should check the higheredjobs site throughout the summer to see when different universities' External Admissions Reader positions open up. The Berkeley Undergraduate Admissions Reader position went live around July/August. To apply for Berkeley’s position, we had to submit a resume and cover letter. Afterwards, I received an interview invitation.

For Berkeley’s External Admission Reader position, candidates may not be: concurrently enrolled as a UC Berkeley undergraduate, concurrently employed by the University of California, concurrently employed by another college or university, concurrently reading applications for another college or university, and working as an independent admissions counselor. These restrictions are probably similar for other college’s reader positions to reduce conflicts of interest.

2. How Many Hours a Week: This reader position is a part-time job. I was working around 15 hours a week reviewing applications. Other readers, like me, were also working full-time jobs, so they would work as their schedule allowed. Some readers were retired so they could work up to 40 hours a week reviewing applications.

3. Training: There is training provided! There was a week-long virtual training that all readers participated in. In the past, they have said that training was in-person, but it was online this year due to the pandemic. In addition, there were online modules that we had to complete before training began. Training consisted of bias training, going over how to review applications, and reviewing practice applications. You are able to ask questions weekly in office hours, meetings with the entire team, and meetings with your smaller team.

4. Pay: The position is a bi-weekly paid position. The job description posted had a pay range of $21 - $24 per hour. I was paid $23 per hour.

5. Would You Do It Again: I would 100% be an undergraduate external admissions reader again. Having the opportunity to review applications and help create an incoming college class is an honor. It is such a unique experience. For others, I highly recommend you look into reader positions at your alma mater or other colleges!

RACHEL

Rachel is the Founder of Study Hall College Consulting. Rachel graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2020 where she double majored in Cognitive Science and Legal Studies. For more application and essay tips, check out our Study Hall College Consulting website at: shcollegeconsulting.com.