I wish one of those would be mine. I think I have some things that stand out but they stand out in like “let’s place her in the RD round and see if she’s better than someone similar to her”
How much do you think that an applicant’s story plays in admissions?
The thing I hate about the admissions process is that my personality and intelligence really come out in person. That’s why I wish interviews counted for much more than they do. So on paper I feel I don’t look like much.
I understand all of you’re sentiments. I would, however, consider the fact that you have basically been numbed to your own application, credentials, and story. Things that may seem normal or boring to you right now may amaze someone who has never seen them before (aka adcoms).
@schroscat I think as the applicant pool becomes bigger, stories become less unique
That’s why having a hook nowadays doesn’t do much. All first gen, URM and … all generally have the same type of story, that’s why essays need to be extremely personal
@schroscat I think it depends on how you presented your story.
@QueenN22 True, but it makes truly unique stories stand out even more.
Speaking of essays (if you are comfortable discussing this), what did y’all write about?
@expertiger @QueenN22 I guess I can’t just explain this simply. (I apologize in advance, ahah)
I used the Common App essay to explain the event that changed my life (I believe it was the last choice on the bubble-portion). The “meat” of the essay is how my father’s death impacted my mother and I both financially and emotionally; in essence, we were left with very little. My mother didn’t speak English, nor did she have any immigration status to find work even if it was minimum wage. We lived paycheck to paycheck as my mother babysat several family’s children to make ends meet. Throughout my childhood, since we had very little, I discovered my passion for the sciences and medicine. I lost myself in the textbooks that I owned and knew that my calling was to save lives. Of course, throughout this epiphany, my mother and I both knew that I had to go to college to do so. (Hence my extreme obsession with Harvard; I’ve dreamed of going there since the third grade.) I reflected upon how my dad’s death, although horrible, helped me see my path–I knew that I wanted to be a doctor that not only saved lives, but saved the livelihood of those families as well. I’ve said this a million times, but I don’t want any little girl going through what I went through. My childhood was really rough, and I had to see the harsh realities of the “real world” when I was six years old. So, my first essay was about HOW I discovered my dream, and I used my supplement on what I did to further reach my passion in medicine.
I wrote about how the seahawks should’ve ran the ball in the last superbowl
@schroscat I’m so happy that you saw light out of such tragic events. Whether you make it Harvard or not, I want you know that you’ve an incredibly strong person and your mom should be thankful that she has you for a daughter (I’m pretty sure you’re a girl but if you’re not, sorry for the confusion!)
@manwiththeplan haha did you really? Which topic did this fall under?
@QueenN22 Thank you; I honestly really, really appreciate it. At the end of the day, I just want to make her proud. (And, yes, I’m a girl. 
)
@QueenN22
it fell under the topic of “talk about an identity or background” because if you listen very closely, seahawks head coach pete carroll was yelling “oh sh*t” in the background
The person who wrote about the Seahawks could have used it as their supplement, because Harvard allows literally any topic lol. And any word length; that’s why I love Harvard’s app :))
Anyone going to or familiar with the United World Colleges? I’m currently at the one in the US and would like to talk to other fellow UWCers!
3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, 10 seconds
I wrote about Participating in a Church as a non-Christian, and I wrote about taking ridiculously advanced math when I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to pursue a career even remotely including math.
@PancakeGirl100 They’ll be making decisions all the way to the end of the week. I’m not sure about whether or not they’re still accepting materials though. I don’t think they are.
@QueenN22
My common essay was about overcoming my anxiety and low confidence, told through the story of a kayak trip gone bad
my harvard essay was about when my school was throwing out some of its reference books, which ones I took home and why
im soo boring U_U
I wrote about something very personal, that is considered taboo but alot of people do it just in secret, especially done in foreign countries. I could say the exact thing but I don’t really want to be judged
The supplement was about my room (cliche) but like how I like blasting different music, where I practiced my high jump arch on my bed…
My main essay was about my accomplishments in the context of a low-income background while living in one of the richest cities in the country (confusing, right?). It all tied into how I plan to honor my humble beginnings. My supplement the how do you plan to use your education topic. I talked about my obsession with politics and spanish and my goals!