Field notesFrom the counseling desk
Guides
How admissions actually reads applications — drawn from unsealed reader manuals, public data, and years at the counseling desk.
Current issue01Evidence before folklore
All guides
Field notesAug 20, 202612 min read
The Real EC Tier Ranking (What AOs Actually Use)
The 1-6 reader rating unsealed by the SFFA trial, the four axes readers weigh, and the credential ladders per discipline — with the mistakes that cost families the most.
About these notes
Each guide separates source-backed facts from counselor interpretation. School-specific policies change; check the current source before making a final decision.