how i demonstrate fit with a school? like more specifically, other than writing a why us paragraph or something. how do i show the school i fit into it?
Is the school giving an opportunity ? Essay - how you’d take advantage of or contribute to its environment ? Interviews ? Interacting - sharing goals / desires with AOs? Owning items of interest on email, etc
Depends on the school. Being yourself can be enough.
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Most schools have unique mission and vision statements. Look them up for the schools on your list. If you are applying for a specific program, do a deep dive on what that program says about their program. (They may even have their own mission/vision statement). Look to see how their graduation requirements map out.
You can also following the schools on social media, read the school newspapers, and research what students say about their school.
Do those things sound like you? If yes, keep those schools in your list. If it doesn’t sound like you, maybe drop them from your list.
And yes, the why us essays are where you can articulate that fit.
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Are you asking about the schools that have waitlisted you?
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I think it comes naturally from being very thoughtful and exploratory in building an application list. You start with some idea of what you need and alternatively might want in a college, both academically and non-academically. You investigate possibilities and learn more about what different options exist, their pros and cons and focuses and values and priorities and so on. You visit if you can. You reflect on what really matters to you, and equally on which schools are really looking for someone like you.
By the end of a process like that, you have a clear sense of where there is a good two-way fit. And then documenting that usually is pretty easy. You can explain your thinking and what led you to that conclusion, including highlighting things in your application which support that conclusion.
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Very good question.
I don’t see WL on the other thread but an acceptance at Berkeley and this, which doesn’t even show if they had fit OP. Just that OP wants a top college which doesn’t tie in to fit as well. The good news - they are attending a top college.
This. Too many people don’t pay enough attention to this
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Didn’t you accept a place at Cal or Cornell? Is this for a LOCI? If so, write the LOCI and then spend your time and energy getting excited for the amazing school where you enroll.
Either way consider if there is anything unique/specific you can contribute to the school, if there are any unique/specific opportunities of interest at that college which you can’t have elsewhere. If you have had any significant achievements since your application was filed, you can mention those as well.
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OP is accepted to Berkeley and Cornell. Waitlisted at 5 other schools.
OP, write your LOCIs and move on to accepting your offer at one of the very good schools you’ve been admitted to. The waitlists at highly rejective schools typically have very little movement. And the waitlists usually don’t close until late July-early August. Unless you emotionally move on, it could be a very painful summer.
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Oh, if this is for a LOCI, fit is irrelevant.
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Thats what I don’t get. If you are accepted at either of those schools, just write your LOCI’s and move on. Have a great summer and enjoy yourself - being accepted at both those schools means you have done well.
This thread is confusing me, because I like and have been following the topic but truly can’t follow what the OP needs.
The best place to show fit is in the supplements. And that is where most students show they do not fit. I would be looking at the prior year’s questions and thinking about my answers for the entire year. In the end, supplements weed out kids applying to schools and majors without enough thought and rationalle.
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and if it is a LOCI, let’s be specific OP!
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The OP has not been back, but given what Momofthree24 reported, my sense is the OP wants to get off some waitlists, and heard that when making waitlist decisions, colleges are considering fit issues.
Unfortunately, that cake is pretty much baked by the time you are going on a waitlist. Meaning the colleges likely have pegged you as a certain sort of applicant, and you will only get a waitlist offer if they need more of that specific sort of student, and they get to you on that specific list.
And I am skeptical there is anything that can be done to change the way they have categorized you.
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OP: Why is this necessary ?