vinay427

Hi,

I have been finishing up my Short Take questions on the CommonApp supplement for Yale, and I had a question I would love to get advice on. How much do you think it matters for my answers to these questions to be related to my intended major? In other words, am I able to simply show the general intellectual side of myself instead of basing each answer around my major? For example, does it help for the "one moment in history" question to explain an important development in one's chosen field?

I am concerned that if I answer them more generally (and quite frankly, sincerely), then I may come off as unfocused or lacking a passion to the admissions officers. Obviously, I don't want this to be the case, which is why I am considering focusing them more around my listed major.

Thanks!

benfster

The Short Takes are intended to help the adcom's catch a glimpse of your personality. It won't hurt you at all.

gibby

Although Yale, and other colleges, ask about your intended major, every admissions director understands that most students change their major at least once during their four years at college.

So, they are NOT looking for comments in the short takes that relate to your major. They are looking for honest and sincere answers. Here, I'll give you an example. My son is a sophomore at Yale, computer science was his intended major, and this was one answer to his Short Takes:

What would you do with a free afternoon tomorrow?
"I would go to the Guitar Center on 14th Street in Manhattan and try out guitars that I can only dream of purchasing."