A flowchart illustrates a university's application review process. It shows a path: 'Application Submitted' -> 'Verify Transcripts' -> 'Review Essay'. From 'Review Essay', it branches: 'Weak Essay?' (Yes/No). If 'Yes', it goes to 'Interview Required?'. If 'No', it goes to 'Check Standardized Scores'. From 'Check Standardized Scores', it branches: 'Scores below threshold?' (Yes/No). If 'Yes', it goes to 'Interview Required?'. If 'No', it goes straight to 'Decision Made (Accept/Reject)'. From 'Interview Required?', it goes to 'Decision Made (Accept/Reject)'. An applicant with strong standardized scores but a weak essay would likely proceed through which sequence of steps after 'Review Essay' to reach 'Decision Made'?
✓ Correct Answer: Option A
If the essay is weak, the path is 'Weak Essay? (Yes)' -> 'Interview Required?'. From 'Interview Required?', the next step is 'Decision Made (Accept/Reject)'. Strong standardized scores are irrelevant if the 'weak essay' branch is taken first.