If coming back to work after winter break seems daunting, consider the plight of college-admissions officials. While most high-school students are breathing a sigh of relief after finally submitting their applications, those on the receiving end are rolling up their sleeves. January is crunch time for many admissions offices. Admissions officers emphasize how many hours they spend reviewing the qualifications of each earnest applicant, even as they anticipate record-breaking application numbers this year. What isn't as well known, however, is how much time it takes to get those applications ready to read. Most students apply online, but the process is far from automated. This article describes the admissions officers' intricate yet often ignored efforts to organize the truckloads of paperwork that pour in this time of year.