Parents writing essays

[Martin_Valdez]

<p>I know this sounds really stupid, but my parents are insisting on writing (or editing to the point of indistinguishability) my essays. Yes, I know it is wrong and have told them so repeatedly. Its just that they are not satisfied with what I write and insist that, until I get other teachers to check over my essays, they will not let me send in my own. </p>

<p>My question is, how do I get them to actually accept my essays? They tell me to write about sports or travel, but I am not interested in those facets of my life. </p>

<p>Also, please do not tell me I get automatic admissions because I am URM or anything. I am Mexican, but am not checking off the Mexican box on the application (I want to prove that I can get in by myself). BTW, for college administrators, this name is fake...I took it from a Spanish soap opera! lol...</p>

[Martin_Valdez]

<p>BTW, I would like to know my chances. I am from Ohio (around 30 minutes North of Columbus!) and go to a private school with around fifty people. My rank is number one and I have an SAT score of 1370 (first time: 580 V, 700 M; second time 600 V, 670 M, highest combined scores) and play soccer and lacrosse. I am not recruited but am legacy at the Prince. Parents are well off.</p>

[CC_Admin]

<p>That's one of the problems...have your parents listen online to NPR...they have archived broadcasts about college admissions, and a number are on writing college essays...In one the Dean of Admissions at Pomona said that often parents alter and "homogenize the essays to utter blandness." And the Dean from MIT said that parents are too overzealous and often think that they are helping, but are really not.</p>

<p>Do NOT let your parents write your essays for you. The most important thing is for you to write about something that tells something about WHO you are. When they say they want to know who you are, THEY MEAN IT. Tell your parents that you cannot write about something because they think that it is something the adcom wants to hear, but that you are going to write what YOU have to say about something. Really, YOUR voice needs to come through. Make sure that your parents know that. And write about something that you are passionate about.</p>

<p>P.S. If you need a link if you can't find it on the NPR website just write it in a reply.</p>

<p>Good Luck!!!</p>

[zantedeschia]

<p>you guys should go see the thread in the Parents Forum "The Waiting Begins" They're all talking about how to help their kids write essays and I'm there telling them not to. I didn't let my parents get near mine. In the end, you have to like your essays and have them be true to you, don't listen to your parents.</p>

[shrek2004]

<p>if your stuck, its nice to have your parents put in some insight. its also nice for them to read it over and give you their insight but dont let them MAKE you write something. write what you want. parents can give some good advice tho</p>

[davidrune]

<p>You're 1 out of 50, with a combined SAT score of 1270. Your essays are going to make or break you. I'd tell your parents to back off.</p>

[Martin_Valdez]

<p>Thanks you guys! I think they want what is best for me, but whenever I confront them, it always goes into shouting matches. They say that I am lucky they are paying for this but I say I can pay for it with the ROTC scholarships. They wont let me join the army though, so it is not my choice. God, I am really really so mad!</p>

[silmon77]

<p>Your SAT score is low for someone wanting to get into Pton. If your GPA is really high (if ur #1, it should be), and-most importantly-you have lots of ECs, then you might get in. But the essays have to rock. If you don't want that kind of pressure, check the hispanic box. I applaud you for your decision not to do that-I wouldnt have had the guts to go in undeclared if I were in your position. But it comes at a major price, so choose carefully.</p>

[kayoshin]

<h1>1 out of 50? wow, that's impressive. Anyway, I would take the november sats (even if u have to pay the late fee), rush the scores, and try to raise your score. About the essays, and as everyone else said, its ok for your parents to aid you with the essays, but the most important thing is that you have to get your point and/or personality across. Several times, after i let my parents proofread my essay, i junked it, saying that this was not was i was trying to convey. Best of luck with your parents (they only want the best for you after all).</h1>

<p>Ps. if worst comes to worst, then let your parents write the essays, and at the time that you put your app into the envelope, switch the essays with those of your own. >)</p>

<p>PPs. How are your sat 2's and EC's? Rank and sat score are not enough to give a good estimate on your chance at a place like Pton</p>

[Ragingg]

<p>1370 (first time: 580 V, 700 M; second time 600 V, 670 M, highest combined scores).. That doesnt add up. You take the best VERBAL score and the best MATH score. So that would be 600+700=1300 if I'm not wrong.</p>

[nosx]

<p>at first i thought that was your real name lol. But dont join the military. and for the URM stuff what if your Half Black/Half Mexican, Ive never seen that box anywere my friend was complaining that he couldnt find it</p>

[Kebree]

<p>Go ahead and check the race box. The goal is to get in...think of the opportunities you'll have. They do aa for a reason...so that the campus is [somewhat] a microcosm of the US. My own chances for getting in are really boosted by the fact that I'm a Kentuckian, but I wouldn't consider myself "less legitimate" if I got in. I know I haven't had the clubs and AP classes that people from Long Island have had, but I've made the most of everything and that's what they're looking for.
I do agree that they shouldn't take aa to such an extreme (i.e., skin color isn't the only thing that necessarily brings diversity to campus), but imagine what HYP would be if they just received applicants from Exeter and St. Paul's. Check the box; you've got everything to gain and nothing to lose. If someone on campus thinks you got in b/c of being hispanic, it's their problem.
Sorry about the rant...haha, I got going, didn't I?</p>

[iplayoboe]

<p>Kebree, I agree with Martin Valdez on the race box issue. Im not checking off any box, since those sections are optional. Its not only about getting in no matter what, its also about making sure that you retain your personal integrity, which a lot of people forget to do during the college application process. I admire Martin Valdez's conviction that he get in on his own, both with race box and with the essays. :) Martin Valdez, i dont know how to help you with your parents beyond what other people here have already written. Write what you want to write about, have teachers edit if you want a check that way, and remind your parents that this is YOUR admissions process, not theirs. A lot of people have parents who forget that, and a lot of parents are starting to feel sad/crazy that their kids are leaving them...
good luck. :)</p>

[Martin_Valdez]

<p>Thanks for all of the suggestions. I have finally come to a compromise with my parents, and am now just scrambling to get these things done before the November 1 deadline rolls around...I'm probably already way behind everyone!</p>

<p>About the scores--what would be better, to apply with my low scores (which, now since I realize my miscalculation, are even lower than I expected) or to apply regular with higer scores? Both are an issue of chance.</p>

<p>About the race box--I agree that AA does remove the blandness of a school, however I am not a typical Hispanic (that colleges expect to be applying). My parents are fairly wealthy, and I have rarely been discriminated against (my friends and I all use racial terms on each other, but at the end of the day, we're still friends). </p>

<p>Thanks for helping me get through this...</p>

[kayoshin]

<p>Dont worry, I am sure without a doubt that noone here is behind me in the app process. Trust mE!!!!one!!!eleven!!! heh heh</p>

<p>Regarding the tests and ED/RD desicion... hmm... its almost too close for me to decide, but no matter which option you choose, make sure u firmly stick by it (or else your uncertainity bleeds through onto your application). G'luck with ur apps!</p>

[cncm]

<p>i really think u should check the race box...if u don't and u didn't get in, u'll regret it for the rest of ur live. What's more important: ur future or ur pride?</p>

[tetrahedr0n]

<p>what if you get in? will you wonder for the rest of your life if you took someone else's place as qualified as you? if you wouldnt have made it without race? i disagree cncm</p>

[toblin]

<p>If I wrote my kids essay he wouldn’t get into any college. I do wonder though how much of this goes on? Read some of the posts here and you will realize that there are many people that would do ANYTHING to get what they want. </p>

<p>How do colleges guard against this?</p>

[CC_Admin]

<p>Many scrutinize scores on the Writing SAT II. Otherwise, admissions officers just have to use their ear for overblown expressions and snagging words.</p>

[davidrune]

<p>I highly that a parent-written essay would give even the slighest edge over a student-written essay. No matter how well written the essay is, a parent-writtne essay will provide absolutely no insight into the student.</p>