<p>I think this specific applicant just had something all of these schools liked. We all know very well that there is no set criteria for ivy league admissions. It is simply who stands out to them.
I think @julia1414 articulated it perfectly. The essay had its positives and negatives, but clearly the admissions officers felt that the good outweighed the bad. We also don’t know everything about this student, but I think we can all assume he is pretty remarkable to have gotten into such prestigious institutions.</p>
<p>ALL Ivies??? Does this mean you can reuse the exactSAME essay for 8+ schools??</p>
<p>^ It the common application essay. </p>
<p>That being said, did not impress. I’m sure he was better qualified because of other things. </p>
<p>^^^^Of course he was admitted for the totality of his application rather than any one thing. As has been said multiple times already, the title of this thread is completely disingenuous, and I believe the OP knew that perfectly well.</p>
<p>DB often creates threads with “disingenuous” titles. Usually making a mountain out of a molehill, IMHO.</p>
<p>I do not understand why this is a special essay. Perhaps it comes from the heart? </p>
<p>It is “special” because the kid got into all Ivies. Someone (somewhere) thought it was the essay that did it. It is a perfectly serviceable essay, certainly better than some I have read in books about writing good essays for college admissions. But is it this kid’s test scores and hook (URM), likely with good recommendations and commitment to ECs in general that probably got him in. He just needed to not step on himself in the essay. And he didn’t.</p>
<p>Such a mess up here guys !</p>
<p>I don’t think it was the essay as much as the fact that he plays viola. Every school needs good viola players. 
</p>
<p>I guess some people have achievements to show for all they’ve done, but their overall application doesn’t reflect the potential of how far they’ll go once they reach a certain college. Things that could be missing include curiosity, passion, and genuinity.</p>
<p>An ordinary person who didn’t have the resources or opportunities to make such achievements can still show so much more character and promise.</p>
<p>Not too shabby, haha.</p>
<p>At first glance, there’s nothing special about this essay. However, if it really worked well, applicants should take into account this formula (of course repeating it as it is would be nonsense). The music is only one option, whereas sports, hobbies or volunteering might be a great substitute for music discussed in this sample. In general, the most important point is to believe you can do it. </p>
<p>the essay seemed spot on to me though! I could actually relate to it in so many ways. I am writing my personal statement and essay on my music, but I don’t know if it’s good or not at all. And it really freaks me out that this guy used a lot of dramatic things to bring out things in his essay. WAAAA! I am in need of serious help. :(( </p>
<p>I haven’t been back to this thread but the question that I have had for some time is this…</p>
<p>How can we really be sure that this is the actual essay that was used? </p>
<p>I’m sure that someone has thought of this and posted it here.</p>
<p>I will say that although I did not find his essay to be profoundly exceptional, the comments on here are sounding a little too much like envious disdain lol. Chill out, so many of us say it all the time there are so many factors that get a student accepted into an Ivy. They reject 4.0s/2400s ALL the time. Pretty sure none of us here are certified college admissions counselors so you can’t just judge from that. We havent seen his ENTIRE application. Instead of condemning this kid for not being “stellar enough” (lol i swear some of these comments are too hilarious) be happy that he was blessed with such an awesome opportunity. Like I said, I didn’t find his essay to be THAT moving but me going on a salty rant and worrying about the success of others will not make MY application any better so… </p>
<p>His essay is interesting, but very vague. I did not find it this compelling. Keep in mind this guy had amazing sat scores and grades, his essay may have only been a tipping factor but not the reason he got accepted. </p>
That was it? I was expecting it to be more impressive. It didn’t seem like he put that much time into it.
It was still good…but I think his overall academics had more to do with his acceptances than his essay.
How do I find this essay here?
I know this is an old thread, but the more I read cc posts re: African Americans at the ivies, the more I wonder why any AA would every want to go there. HYP don’t sound like places where an AA could ever be looked upon as an equal.
I’m writing about why I love jazz music. Is that not approved of? If music is something I’m passionate about, why can’t I write about it?