Most first year Yale students live in suites of four to six students. What would you contribute to the dynamic of your suite?
This one is killing me! Did you guys put down a list of things or just one thing and explained it? Is it a part of who you are i.e. where you’re from, or is it one of your talents i.e. cooking???
What do you most enjoy learning?
Are you going to talk about something academic or something you’re personally interested in? I’m thinking the history of my country which I find really interesting but also I’m really into philosophical things but ALSO I love English lit so I have no idea which one I’m going to pick.
Write about something you would like us to know about you that you have not conveyed elsewhere in your application.
Part of me wants to talk about the country my mom is from but another part of me wants to talk about the complications of my half siblings… what do you guys think?
“Most first year Yale students live in suites of four to six students…”
IMO, they are looking for qualities that make you a good roommate/member of the Yale community. Whatever you put needs to be consistent with your EC’s and how you portrayed yourself in other essays. Can be serious or somewhat humorous/practical. When you read it back to yourself, ask, would I be excited to have a roommate who describes him/herself that way?
“What do you most enjoy learning?”
IMO, they are looking for aspects of your curiosity. Picking an interesting but not academic topic may stand out unless it is contrived. An academic topic consistent with your indicated major/EC’s would be safe.
“Write about something you would like us to know about you that you have not conveyed elsewhere in your application.”
Is there a desirable quality about you that is not evident in your other essays/EC’s that can be tied to a talent that you want to highlight. E.g., let’s say your app is athletic heavy with emphasis on teamwork, persistence, leadership, it might be neat to contrast that with an essay on baking and the mixed aspects of science and artistry associated with baking.
Which do you think would be more suitable for the What Would You Contribute to the Dynamic of Your Suite:
Dark humor
^ this is true, its a big part of my personality
OR
Spontaneous adventure
I’m the type of person that will make all my friends get up and go on a random walk or trip somewhere
I feel like the second one is so typical:
what do u think I should put down?
^^ Let’s put on our ivy league thinking caps! Admissions Directors are reading applications looking for student’s who will **positively impact **campus life. Urban Dictionary defines “dark humor” as
Given the above, if I were a Yale Admissions Director I might shy away from a student who proclaimed they would contribute dark humor to my college campus, as I would NOT consider that to have a positive impact on campus life.
FWIW: Choice #2, while better, seems typical because it’s non-specifc – thousands of students could also write that comment. As such, it doesn’t really tell me something unique about who I would be admitting. You need to think more about your skills, hobbies, and talents and how those attributes – which other students may not have – might positive impact campus life.
OMG thank you so much lol. I didn’t think of it as a bad thing. Thanks!
I just don’t really like have any skills/hobbies/talents that are interesting. I’m not talented at anything…my only hobby is reading, watching movies and going out to nature :(!
My daughter didn’t put anything unique or earth shattering, but it was consistent with her app and who she is as a person. This question is really meant to let the AOs know a bit more about who you are in a group, what dynamic you add to the group. Imagine yourself in a suite with 5 or 6 kids. That said, every question provides an opportunity to let the AOs know a bit more about what makes you…you.
@gloopular: Well, if you like nature, you should investigate several Yale websites and possibly use one of them as a jumping off point for what you could contribute to the dynamic of your suite (think being a leader of nature and adventure trips).
