Hey, who else is applying?
Also, the bottom of my portal disappeared?? I think? Something definitely changed…
Did this happen to anyone else?
My son applied RD. Really wanted to apply ED but we are non-need based, but need a good scholarship to afford it. I’m not sure what the typical and higher level scholarship Denison offers, but hopefully pretty good.
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Good luck 
Yes, it must be because today is the deadline for applications? We can’t log into the portal anymore.
Oh really? I can still log into the portal
Today being the deadline makes sense though
My son applied RD. Noticed today they’ve added a Why Denison? optional essay (200 words) due Feb. 1. I’m guessing they are gauging interest. Everyone else have this optional essay now?
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Yes
Thank you for the heads up on this. Where are you seeing the February 1st deadline?
I think the February 1st deadline was in the email they sent my son.
Thank you
Just received the Why Denison prompt via email and in the portal today.
I just got cc’d on the email they sent my '25 as well. After making a big deal on their website about no supplemental essays, I think this is a bait and switch, and auto-rejection for anyone not willing to jump through their hoops. Kid finished all apps in December, why add something now? Denison just went WAY down my list.
It feels silly that the “why denison” essay only gives you like 10 days to write it, what if you’re super busy this month!
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And based on this thread, some kids given a few more days than others.
I think they massively overenrolled last year, so they’re looking to decrease acceptance rates…
Also, I was one of those given the few extra days. Did y’all do the interview? I did
My son did the interview and also did a music audition. His “Why” essay was due Feb 1. With all the other essays he already wrote it didn’t take him long to write it. He was very high on Denison and a heavy lean depending on scholarships. We are IS so there is an auto $25k plus a music scholarship and whatever else they decide.
Denison has done the supplemental essay every year for at least the last 3 cycles for any student applying RD. My guess is if a student cannot sum the energy to write a 200 word essay then I doubt Denison was at the top of their list. My college kids crank out 200 word homework assignments multiple times a week, so I don’t think it is too bad.
The supplement is well known on Reddit and this website.
My older son applied to College of Holy Cross and after submitting my husband and I got an email that they needed a supplemental recommendation from US! As parents!
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Denison does the supplemental essay every year for kids who apply RD. I have a student who is a first year, the class is not overenrolled. I do think there was a class from a few years ago that was really big.
I agree - a 200 word essay is nothing for these kids. However, I still think it would be nicer to have that in the Common App up front for them to do while they are writing all their applications, like literally every other school that my kids have applied to. There is no such thing as an optional essay, and while the students are in application mode, it’s easy to do. 6-8 weeks later when they’re focused on other things, I don’t think it’s nice to send them “oh by the way… please do this ASAP due next week”
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Well, I do agree that once you are out of the application mindset, writing anything - seems to be a colossal effort. We were all burnt out by this time in the cycle!
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