College Admissions Officer “Ask Me Anything”

Ever wondered what admissions officers are actually thinking when they read your application — or whether "optional" really means optional? Now you can ask someone who's been on the other side of the desk. Join former Harvard Senior Admissions Officer Devery Doran for a live, unfiltered Ask Me Anything session designed to demystify every stage of the college admissions process. Devery has read thousands of applications at Harvard and UC-Berkeley and now works as a college admissions consultant, so she knows exactly how decisions get made — and she's here to tell you. Students can submit their burning questions ahead of time and get straight answers on everything from personal statement strategy to how schools weigh test scores, grades, and extracurriculars. If you're a high schooler trying to navigate admissions without the guesswork, this is the session you don't want to miss.

Get Your Questions Answered by Someone Who's Actually Made Admissions Decisions

The college admissions process is full of contradictions, unwritten rules, and advice that sounds wise but leaves you more confused than before. Should you submit that SAT score or not? Does the "optional" interview actually matter? What do admissions officers mean when they say they want an "authentic" personal statement — and what does that look like in practice? This live Ask Me Anything session cuts through the noise by putting you directly in conversation with Devery Doran, a former Harvard Senior Admissions Officer who has spent years on both sides of the process.

Who Is Devery Doran?

Devery spent four years as a Senior Admissions Officer at Harvard University, where she read and evaluated thousands of student applications. She has also read application essays at UC-Berkeley and currently works as a private college admissions consultant — meaning she's seen the process from every possible angle. A Harvard graduate herself with a master's degree from the University of Texas, Devery has dedicated her career to helping students from all backgrounds understand and navigate the path to higher education. She doesn't deal in vague reassurances. She gives you the real picture.

What This Session Covers

This is a live, student-driven session, so the agenda is shaped by your questions. That said, expect honest, detailed answers to the questions that keep applicants up at night, including:

• Whether "optional" components — test scores, interviews, additional essays — are truly optional or quietly expected
• What admissions officers are actually looking for in a personal statement, and why telling them "what they want to hear" backfires
• How to think about the well-rounded vs. specialized applicant debate and what approach resonates with readers
• How to balance course rigor with GPA — and what the answer looks like at highly selective schools
• How admissions committees actually move through applications and what lands a student in the admitted pile

How to Make the Most of This Session

Students are encouraged to submit their questions ahead of time using the linked form — Devery will work through as many submitted questions as possible during the live class. Come with the questions you've been too nervous to ask your school counselor, the ones Google hasn't answered clearly, and the ones about your specific situation. This is a rare opportunity to get unfiltered, expert insight from someone who has actually made these decisions at one of the most selective universities in the world.

Who Should Attend

This session is ideal for high school juniors and seniors actively working on their college applications, as well as sophomores who want to start planning strategically. Parents who want to better understand the process — and how to support their student without steering them wrong — will find it equally valuable. If you've ever wished you could sit across the table from an admissions officer and just ask, this is your chance.