Prompt: What unique characteristic about Mount Holyoke makes you interested in attending? (250-400)
I am pleased with the essay I have written for the above prompt, but my counselor told me to work in my intended major (anthropology) in the response. In the essay, I talk about MHC’s traditions and compare them to some I participate in in high school, alongside some commentary on why traditions (and flexibility) are important.
I’m right at the 400 word limit. I haven’t edited yet, but I don’t think I’ll be able to trim it down too much without cutting out the paragraph on my existing experience with traditions. So, should I work in my major into the essay?
(I have a 3.9 UW GPA, good APs, ECs, etc. 1420 SAT but retaking. I am shooting for the merit scholarship.)
I don’t think it is necessary if you are happy with your essay and at the word limit. Mt. Holyoke does not accept by major – students are free to change from their intended major after they are admitted to the college.
If you want to play around with the essay a bit and see if you can slot in a sentence about why Mt Holyoke is a strong academic fit for your interests that is up to you.
The most important thing is for you to be happy with the essay and to have the essay reflect your reasons for wanting to attend Mt Holyoke.
Is there anything about their Anthropology offerings that attract you that you couldn’t study elsewhere?
I mean, it’s a major most have so I think if you can share why the school is a fit for you, it’s fine.
If there’s a research project or area of expertise that really lights your fire - i get it. Most studying a major like Anthro like Anthro in general….and at that point, all schools have it - so then what stands out about the school itself.
So if you like your essay and it screams - why Mt. Holyoke is the best school for me - I don’t see not talking about the academics as a big deal at all. They certainly know they’re not the only school in the country with an anthro degree.
It’s not absolutely necessary. If you’re focusing on the aspects of MHC that make it distinctive and a good fit for you, then that’s really what they’re looking for. However, if the Anthro major offers specific opportunities or areas of emphasis that appeal to you, you could condense what you’ve written to make room (remember: condensing usually makes writing better, anyway).
I’m trying to remember what my D23 included in response to this prompt (she was admitted RD and really liked MHC but decided to attend a different school). I think she wrote about the traditions that appealed most to her and created a sense of community, but she also wrote about some distinctive academic features of her likely majors, FWIW.
Do you have a meaningful history of studying, researching, etc. within the field? If not, I don’t see how just saying you want to major in anthropology would move the needle. Admissions officers know students are free to switch majors once admitted (and many do).
Mentioning one’s intended major can be an influential factor if supported by current or prior efforts. An example would be one who states that he/she intends to be a Classics major and has studied Greek & Latin in high school.
Yes I concur. That is what I said (or tried to say) when I wrote that mentioning the major could be helpful if supported by a “meaningful history of studying, researching, etc. in the field.”