Advice from an admitted student

Hope_Full
Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:20:46 +0000

neuron39, your children sound extradordinary, but I don’t understand from your message how luck played a role in your children’s applications.

My point wasn’t to say that essays are the sole determinative factor in admissions. My point is that otherwise great applicants often dedicate thousands of hours to grade and ECs but short-change the application itself. They spend years building a great resume and then incorrectly believe that the application can wait until December 15th. That, I believe, is insane.

The role of luck in the college admission process is extremely small. In stark contrast, the role of a well done application in the admission process is huge.