
Ever wondered what admissions officers are actually thinking when they read your application — or whether "optional" really means optional?
Starts Thu, Jun 11
12:00 AM UTC · 1h

Devery
Decode what "optional" really means for test scores, interviews, and essay prompts — and make strategic decisions accordingly
Understand what admissions officers genuinely look for in a personal statement (and what makes them stop reading)
Navigate the well-rounded vs. specialized debate with a clear framework for how to present your unique profile
Evaluate the real trade-off between taking challenging courses and maintaining strong grades
Identify the most common application mistakes students make and learn how to avoid them
Gain insider insight into how admissions committees review files and move candidates to the accepted pile
Ask your own specific questions and get direct, honest answers from someone who has made these decisions at Harvard

Devery Doran worked as a Senior Admissions Officer at Harvard University for four years and has read application essays at UC-Berkeley in addition to her current role as a college admissions consultant. A graduate of Harvard with a master's degree from the University of Texas, Devery has spent her career helping diverse groups of young people unlock their potential through educational and career opportunities.
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.
Live Q&A
Cameras / mics optional
Recordings
Available within 1 hour, kept 90 days
Materials
No special materials required
free with a Varsity Tutors membership
04
DAYS03
HRS40
MINThu, Jun 11 • 12:00am UTC
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College Admissions Officer “Ask Me Anything”