My D was accepted ED and is beyond thrilled–but it’s the right place for her. She knew it, she felt it deeply, and it obviously came through in her essays and LORs.
I think more than anything schools are looking for kids that are the best fit for THEM–especially the small schools, where it’s hard to hide the students who are a little unhappy and feel they are at at the wrong college.
Here are some things that were NOT in my daughter’s application:
–she wasn’t the president of any school clubs or organizations.
–she didn’t win any awards or prizes.
–she didn’t compete in any academic competitions such as science or math.
–she isn’t a star athlete.
But, despite not having those sorts of objective achievements that people focus on, she was a great fit for the Amherst community and was able to articulate why. She did a lot of self-assessment. As she added criteria of what she wanted in a school, in a place to spend the next four years, Amherst met every single one and other schools gradually fell away.
My point is that you all sound like smart, thoughtful people–you’ll each find the right landing spot for you, where you’ll thrive and shine. You each have your own set of criteria which is as unique as a fingerprint–listen to what your hearts and minds are telling you. College isn’t just a line on a resume; it’s your home for four years of your lives. Just be who you are destined to be. Good luck!