<p>and I am wondering what this means in regard to my chances at other schools. I was thinking of writing an entirely new essay over winter break that would show “the way I think”. However, after I found out I was accepted into MIT, I’m starting to wonder if this means the essays I already wrote are good enough. For MIT, I mostly wrote about my love of science and volunteer work, and I’m wondering if the other schools I’m applying to (HYPS), will want to see something different in my essays. Does anyone know if there is a significant amount of cross-acceptances between MIT early and Harvard regular? Thanks.</p>
<p>There certainly are a number of cross-acceptances between MIT and Harvard (and MIT and other top schools) each year, but the correspondence is nowhere near absolute.</p>
<p>The last thing HYP and especially S want to see is an esoteric essay about how you think. It sounds like a good essay for Caltech, though.</p>
<p>In my experience, the best essays for them are very straightforward essays saying how you “love x and y”. So it sounds like your MIT essays would work. </p>
<p>There are a number of cross-acceptances to Harvard and MIT as Mollie said, but that is more because of the high IQ factor rather than any similarity in the personality makeup or application style that they prefer.</p>
<p>My MIT/Caltech essays are mostly about how much I love scientific research. They aren’t very creative or quirky. I was reading through the book about 50 Successful Harvard Essays, and most of the essays in there are about everyday things like taking showers or jogging. Do you think it is okay that my essays are more boring? (After all, they did work at MIT/Caltech).</p>
<p>I think you should submit whatever you find defines you most. If you’re more passionate about scientific research than showering, then submit the former. It’s very likely that what you find boring may be very revealing and insightful to an admissions officer about the kind of person you are rather than an essay that you’ve forced yourself to write because it’s more similar to an essay you found in “50 successful harvard essays.”</p>