<p>true haha, but then i can write whatever i want</p>
<p>You guys will think I’m crazy, then. I’m a Harvard SCEA’er but I didn’t write anything for the optional supplement essay. I felt that my Common App essay was sufficient in terms of revealing a very unique experience I’ve had, as well as the way I think and what my plans are for the future. </p>
<p>My philosophy is that they will accept me if they want me badly enough. If they don’t, there’s nothing I could have done about it, whether I had written the supplement essay or not.</p>
<p>I agree with calgirl. A bad supplement will ruin your chances, so if you don’t have anything to say, don’t babble.</p>
<p>(Speaking from experience. I applied SCEA, too. After re-reading my supplemental essay, I wish I never sent it. I’m convinced that killed my application… 
)</p>
<p>That is how I am going to approach the Harvard supplement. Not doing optional, I love my common app essay and feel it will suffice.</p>
<p>^ Good for you. 
I feel like there’s quite a bit of misinformation on this site about the Harvard supplement. In fact, when I meet other people in real life who are also applying to Harvard, many of them are shocked when I reveal that I did not submit a supplemental essay. But it’s true that a supplemental essay that doesn’t make an impact will hurt an applicant’s chance of admission. In cases like these, it’s better to focus their energy on the main Common App essay.</p>
<p>Yea I didn’t do the optional essay for harvard either</p>
<p>STANFORD!
Sorry just needed to yell it out.</p>
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<p>I was agreeing with you.</p>
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<p>If you read Hernadez’s books (e.g., <a href=“http://amzn.to/slPIOJ[/url]”>http://amzn.to/slPIOJ</a>) you’ll see the Ivies “grade” on a very rigid scale. (She’s a former Ivy admissions honcho.) You can know exactly what they want from you to get in. Grades count for X amount, SATs for Y, SAT IIs for Z, ECs for the rest, and the scales are given, too. Not so with Stanford.</p>
<p>PS – I’m not applying to any Ivy. I don’t want to go back East. CA or bust (e.g., U AZ).</p>
<p>lol JacobStudent</p>
<p>STANFORD STANFORD</p>
<p>Although with my parents’ financial circumstances now, doesn’t seem like i’d be going to Stanford even if I get in, having not applied for FA.</p>
<p>@ avtrox: I have the same issue. I highly doubt my parents would be able to afford Stanford even if I got in. 
</p>
<p>BTW, sorry I haven’t really kept up with this thread. I was without Internet access for a week.</p>
<p>@ calgirl: i feel bad for both of us.
my parents thought they would be able to handle it but a factor that i won’t specify here changed in the last three weeks… i’m changing half of the schools on my list right now to aim for lots of FA and merit-based scholarships. looking at lots of LACs, though i don’t know how i’d fare in a small community</p>
<p>Apply to USC, the deadline for merit scholarships is December 1st. A lot of my friends who are top students are doing it even if they have no intention of matriculating.</p>
<p>Is anyone applying to MIT? I hate their application system!</p>
<p>ME</p>
<p>I get why you’re frustrated about their app system but I just love the fact that they’re need-blind to internationals. Only 6 schools in the whole of the 50 states that are need-blind to us</p>
<p>The problem for me is that my Physics score is so ****ty that I’m pretty sure it’ll drag me down.</p>
<p>What are you going to major in at MIT?</p>
<p>I’m not sure. I’m torn between business and engineering (yes, I know those are vague) :(</p>
<p>My mom is really pushing me towards engineering though, because she feels that I need applicable skills. I’ll probably go back to school for an MBA after I get some work experience though.</p>
<p>What about you?</p>
<p>I’m thinking the dual course on linguistics and philosophy, but also considering the polisci program… if I get in I’d be one of the 9% minority who don’t major in the sciences;)</p>
<p>Ah. Applicable skills… I’ve given up on that concept ever since I decided I will study whatever I’m interested in. Probably going to try law school after undergrad and apply to work for the UN… dream course of life, wonder if it’ll work out…</p>
<p>Where do you want to work at?</p>
<p>Happy Thanksgiving. Today I am thankful that Stanford admissions took one look at my app, thought my essays and recommendations were so freaking amazing that they tossed out my test scores, and accepted me happily.</p>
<p>Oh, wait…did I just DREAM that?</p>
<p>i havent had a proper thanksgiving turkey in six years</p>
<p>and yes you just dreamt that
we all did</p>
<p>I’m thankful that we will all be attending amazing universities at this time next year–whether it be Stanford or not.</p>
<p>I am thankful that I have never had to worry about financial problems.
I am thankful that I have never had to go to bed hungry (except when I forget to eat dinner :LOL: ).
I am thankful that I have so many supportive friends.
I am thankful that my parents never forced religion upon me (although I later discovered it for myself).
I am thankful that my parents are so supportive during the college application process.
I am thankful my parents aren’t divorced.
I am thankful I joined Boy Scouts.</p>
<p>And so much more…</p>
<p>@calgirl15 & avtrox
Same here; I am convinced that my parents will not be able to afford …
Well, hopefully we can find some other ways! :/</p>