<p>Would it be an overstatement to say that one big reason I want to go to Yale is because of its awesome singing/acapella tradition? </p>
<p>You may say, if that’s why you’re applying, then say that!</p>
<p>But obviously, that’s not the only reason I’m applying and it seems as though that’s the only thing I can think of to talk about without sounding extremely generic. </p>
<p>And if I say that acapella is the reason I want to go to Yale, adcoms might think, “psh, this kid wants to come to Yale for a club that he can find anywhere else?”</p>
<p>i said a cappella too… but in my interview.
you could consider that - of course, an interview is not guaranteed, but that’s where i snuck it in. my interviewer was actually very surprised that i mentioned it. as you know, interviewers write reports so he probably mentioned it there because i have extensive involvement in choir.
my why yale was about directed studies, and I struggled to fit it in the space. it wasn’t generic even though I bet many kids mention it.</p>
<p>that said, if you have a well thought out a cappella answer, write it. it’s different. though one exception: i’d be hesitant to do so if the rest of your application has little mention of singing background.</p>
<p>Ha ha! That is the biggest reason for my D wanting to apply to Columbia…she likes THEIR a capella group best. I have no clue what she actually SAID in any of her applications. But I’d mention it. It’s honest, it makes you a “person”. SOMETHING has to set one school apart from another. Let’s say one aspires to HYP…and truly likes them all. Then there are individual things they like MORE (and less) about each one. I agree I’d touch on another topic too. And I doubt you have many characters. But I really think it’s best to BE YOU…because, if you say what you think they WANT you to say…well, they’re pretty experienced…it might not work as you’d hoped. Or…let’s say it DOES work, and you’re admitted…only to find that the kids in the a capella group aren’t that passionate about it and you’re spending 4 years in a situation that’s not optimum (optimal?). </p>
<p>Either say - best of luck to you and NEVER STOP SINGING!</p>
<p>At the very least, the acapella tradition it Yale really is quite unique and therefore its inclusion in a Why Yale? essay will show that you’ve done some research. Yes, almost every other school in the nation has acapella groups, but none have as many per capita and the absurdity that is acapella rush exists NO WHERE but Yale.</p>
<p>Totallysunshine, I did mention that I was in my high school’s acapella, but I am not in chorus. I am in band, instead. Nonetheless, I still love singing and acapella. </p>
<p>I was considering writing about singing and how it opened up my confidence in high school for the supplement essay, but I have another essay that I really want to use…</p>