<p>For my EC essay I wrote about quiz bowl and feminism – my two favorite things :D</p>
<p>This is awkward because everyone wrote their EC essay about something cool and original and I just wrote about volleyball. I couldn’t help it. I play year round and seriously I think I’ve spent more time on the volleyball court than I have doing my school work throughout my childhood. It just didn’t seem fitting to not write about it. I even started the essay like that. “I told myself I wouldn’t write about volleyball, but…” haha. hope they don’t hate me for sounding so colloquial. </p>
<p>@fairyfantasy The most interesting/unique part about my application was definitely the optional essay. I basically talked about how for the majority of my life I was determined to become a world famous singer/songwriter, but recently instead of writing songs, I’ve been writing things like college essays and papers about Aristotle… I’ve kind of let go of this dream that I had for so long, because I realized it wasn’t a realistic possibility.
All I know is that growing up my parents taught me that “if you can believe it, you can achieve it”, and it may not have worked in my favor with songwriting, but that same mantra is what pushed me to apply to Harvard.</p>
<p>I don’t know. It’s deeper than that in full length, but pretty bold to talk about wanting to be a rockstar, and then deciding to ditch that dream to attend the best college in the world.
It could either work in my favor or land my app in the trash bin, but I’ll take that risk. haha. </p>
<p>@fairyfantasy I’d say it’s probably the fact that the majority of my ECs and interests are rather esoteric. Whether that will work for me or against me is yet unseen!</p>
<p>@oxoxhawja3xoxo Your optional essay sounds awesome! I do think they’ll love it. It’ll definitely be refreshing for them to read. And as for your EC essay, I don’t think the topic necessarily has to be “original,” as long as the essay demonstrates passion and commitment–and from reading what you’re saying about your dedication to volleyball, I’m certain it does.</p>
<p>@oxoxhawja3xoxo That sounds like an interesting essay, paralleling writing songs to writing college essays. 
I’ve actually been the most fickle person ever regarding major/career planning haha. Just last year I was decided on medical school and now I am going for computer science. Before that, I even dreamed of becoming police woman, fashion designer, pianist, etc. It’s cool that you were able to hold onto one goal for so long. </p>
<p>And same here, my optional essay is a Break or Make deal. People can either hate it or love it. I’m pretty sure it went against several unspoken college essay rules or something, haha. I wrote about lot parts of me crammed into short descriptive sentences and tried to organize them into paragraphs instead of writing about one small topic in depth. I even used the word “YOLO” in the essay. 
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<p>@calliemoon11 Thank you! You’re making me feel pretty confident again. I seriously hope they get me. haha. I’m definitely passionate and committed to my sport. gah. this deadline is too close for comfort. I just wrote the crappiest essay for my India class due at midnight because all I’ve been doing tonight is browsing college confidential.
Do you also feel like your internal confidence comes in waves? One minute, you’re dreaming about the letter saying “congratulations” in bold and hangout out with your new friends on Harvard Yard and the next minute, you see yourself open an email beginning with “We regret to inform you…” and instead of enjoying your winter holiday you’re scrambling to apply to other colleges and pretending to be at peace with the ad coms decision.
I just want it all to be over. </p>
<p>@fairyfantasy good to know I’m not alone!!! I never used “YOLO” but I definitely used y’all and probably some other words I shouldn’t have. but i think that’s the only way to really make your voice shine through so you don’t sound like a word processing machine.
As for the majors, yeah totally don’t even think about settling yet. My sister was so determined to be a orthopedic surgeon. She went into college studying neuro science. then switched to econ with a minor in architecture (random, i know). and now shes in comp sci with an econ minor.
You really never know where you’ll end up, so just keep your options open!</p>
<p>@oxoxhawja3xoxo So much truth. I’ve been practically living on this site lately. And yes! All this up-and-down is making me seasick! I just want to get to land, and hopefully be welcomed into the Kingdom of Veritas on the shore rather than be cast back out to sea for another three months. :(</p>
<p>@fairyfantasy I vaguely not-by-name referenced Cards Against Humanity in my optional essay. Now that was a bit of a risk. (YOLO!)</p>
<p>@oxoxhawja3xoxo Yup…I must say my English teacher wasn’t that thrilled about my optional essay. I just thought using words like carpe diem must be really dull, cliche, and fake, though. </p>
<p>@calliemoon11 And yes, I am so done with college applications. >_< Dreading the 15+ essays I have to write over the Winter Break if I get deferred/rejected, the most likely possibility for me. Sometimes I wonder if I should have chosen a more likely ED/EA so I won’t have to write so many essays. Trying for the one of the oldest/best university in the world do comes is definitely a rewarding experience, though. At least I won’t have any regrets in the future.</p>
<p>Was I literally the only one that wrote a factual (totally dry and descriptive) ECA 150 words essay 
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<p>@fairyfantasy That reminds me a lot of an essay I read a while ago that ended in “I am Chi” or something of the sort. Did you ever read it? :)</p>
<p>@skslxxbjk Nope…I don’t think so. It sounds interesting, though. Where did you read it? </p>
<p>Also, tell me if this is just me, but I feel like for me personally, college essays tends to get more and more bland as the times I read it increases. ._. I get really excited after I finish the essay, and each time I read it later on I see the imperfections, haha. </p>
<p>@fairyfantasy OH MY GOSH I feel the same way. I’ve been toying with the Harvard supplement (a.k.a. fitting it into other prompts… essay recycling never hurts my sanity 
) and I’m like ugh this was a better way to ____.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t quite remember where I read it. I’ll try to find it though.</p>
<p>@skslxxbjk YES, I feel so much better now that someone felt the same way. I’ve been growing more and more insecure about my essays and doubting if it was even good as a first read lol. I was looking through last year’s SCEA decision thread, and some people rated their essays as 10. o.o What does a 10 essay even look like?! </p>
<p>@fairyfantasy I wish my essay was a 10… Haha well I guess it’s all down to how the admissions officers feel about it I guess 
I’m sure yours was absolutely fabulous. It sounds so quirky and cute! Was it a humorous take?</p>
<p>@skslxxbjk I remember reading that essay in English class! I didn’t really like it though…Just thought there was a hint of arrogance within it. </p>
<p>Does anybody know how admissions officers take in art supplements into account when making decisions? Does the art committee rate it and inform the ad com or do they just look at the slideroom uploads while examining application? </p>
<p>The former.</p>
<p>Yup, the former.</p>
<p>The Department of Visual and Environmental Studies (VES) (<a href=“http://www.ves.fas.harvard.edu/aboutves.html”>http://www.ves.fas.harvard.edu/aboutves.html</a>) reviews applicant’s art portfolios on behalf of Admissions. And FWIW: </p>
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<p>@oxoxhawja3xoxo I know exactly what you mean by the waves of confidence thing ahhaha there are brief moments where I’m like feeling good about it all, dreaming of seeing “congratulations” on the email. Then I’ll suddenly get pulled back to reality and feel anxious and less hopeful 
I just need this week and the next to go by really fast, can’t handle this waiting anymore </p>
<p>Another random Q, what kind of music do you guys like?</p>
<p>@Visionary123 Thank u so much :’) Ur words r so encouraging …U r a very considerate person and encouraging!
U put my hopes all high and then I’m like urghhhh… U know…I’m like what IF I don’t make it? 
I know , I know, we need to stay optimistic no matter what…we will all end up at the best place for us…we all got this!
@oxoxhawja3xoxo haha go through that all the time! I close my eyes and try to imagine how I will react if I see a “congratulations” but then I’m like stop daydreaming…I’m getting really nervous!</p>