Particularly in the 1990's, these numbers can unnerve a group that admissions directors call "the emotional middle class."

Providing an example of this helps children "come to life" in the eyes of an admissions director.

The committee would make a recommendation to the university's admissions director.

Peter Perretti, the admissions director, said all 440 students at the academy are expected to go on to college.

But nearly all admissions directors agree that students must visit a campus before making up their minds.

Or they show up in person to tell off admissions directors.

"Take the admissions director out to dinner every night."

The admissions director testified the half-point figure had been chosen from "out of the blue."

Ms. Bush, a former admissions director at a private school, has been an educational consultant for more than 25 years.

The admissions director wasn't in, and the door was locked tight.