<p>For the top schools, the two essays are critical. I know of people who had better awards/honors than me yet were rejected from many top schools because their personal statements lacked depth.</p>
<p>Definitely. I have heard that appearing arrogant in your essays is in particular a huge disadvantage.</p>
<p>Have a reason for applying to each of the schools you apply to. Try to think of the colleges equally, like you have eight first choices, not just one first choice and then you don't care about the rest, especially if the colleges require separate essays. That you don't care about a certain college can really show.</p>
<p>I recommend that people do find a school that they really love, however, and apply early decision/action. Take that option seriously.</p>
<p>The most important thing for all parents and students to do is spend time reading posts of this years applicant results. Look closely at the stats and ECs of rejected and waitlisted students. Many, many lament that they worked so hard in school, had great SAT scores, were leaders, captains, and excelled at everything they did. Its so sad at how devastated they are that these schools didnt see how wonderful they are. Unfortunately, thousands of other students have similar stats and ECs. All of us parents think our child is that one special kid that anyone would be crazy not to want. My daughter got waitlisted at her one reach school and was crying for days and dont think I didnt want to write them a letter and tell them what a mistake they made. lol She is so happy at the school she ultimately chose we wonder now what were we thinking. So pick your reach schools wisely, your match schools carefully and your safties with the most care of all.</p>
<p>thanks volleysnap!!! i think i'm a little freaked out by all the paperwork that's involved. plus i'm still trying to figure out what i want to do with my life :P</p>
<p>This goes for all colleges, but particularly to the very top ones such as HYPSM, START YOUR ESSAYS OVER THE SUMMER. It will help tremendously because good essays are absolutely crucial to getting in. If you're aiming for the top colleges, start the essay process over the summer. Go buy books that have past essays, essay writing tips, etc and read them over until you know the kind of essay you want to aim for. Then start writing and make sure to let your passion shine through. </p>
<p>Note that this tip isn't something that can be argued whether to follow or not. It's something any serious applicant who has worked hard over his high school years aiming for the top schools should be willing to do.</p>
<p>Looking back, I really regret having to write all my essays like 2 weeks before they were due. My chances of getting accepted would have definitely increased if I started my essays earlier and truly made them the best they could be. (I got rejected by Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and accepted by Princeton, Caltech, UCLA, and UC Berkeley)</p>
<p>Good luck to the class of 09 ;) Hope this helped.</p>
<p>too stressed already</p>
<p>Essay-writing books? Seriously? I'd expect anyone who is a competitive applicant to HYPS or comparable LACs to have ideas of her own about how to craft an original, interesting essay...</p>
<p>Get as many people as possible to read over your work and offer you corrections.</p>
<p>It still helps to read over them...it's not like it's a crime to be using resources -_- Also, not everyone can craft an original, interesting essay that easily. People who focused on math/science and didn't spend their high school years doing something like journalism will find it very helpful to look at past essays.</p>
<p>If it's the money part that you have a problem with, then you can just buy the books and return it after ~3 weeks, like I did.</p>
<p>Essay writing books were not worth my time. I looked over them and did not take their advice whatsoever, and I am extremely pleased with my results (both my essays and where they got me). I thought the books would help out with applying to more 'conventional' schools (ie. State schools), however I went with my gut, used my outlandishly long ridiculous essay, and received better scholarship/standing than those who had better stats than me.</p>
<p>What I have to say? Go with your gut, take risks, and really have FUN in your applications. It shows. Do not necessarily go all clam fart, but enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>Ex. In my 'what else should we know about you' bit I went on a diatribe on how I actually am a CAM plant (an extended metaphor on how I work best at night).</p>
<p>Show colleges you are INTERESTED. Being waitlisted will become more and more common and a huge number of extremely well qualified students get waitlisted because schools don't think that the student will come if accepted.</p>
<p>Call the school and ask questions. Take tours. Get interviews.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I'll be one of the people who are against the "buy essay-writing books." I can see the appeal, especially for those, opqpop said, aren't very good at the writing part of things. However, I think they would subconsciously limit you from writing to your full potential.</p></li>
<li><p>Do something this summer -- no lazing about the pool for you! Get a job or an internship, volunteer someplace, or start creating something ("Oh, this summer I wrote a book..."). Nothing is as embarrassing as admitting that you did absolutely nada during the summer to an interviewer/application.</p></li>
<li><p>Make a list with the deadlines for everything. Especially the financial aid stuff; you don't want it to be April 28th and realize that you have no idea what your financial aid package is.</p></li>
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<p>3a. On that note: yes, if you get everything in on time, you should be receiving your financial aid packages about the same time as your acceptance letter. (My parents didn't know this with my oldest sibling, so it wasn't until late July that they began to wonder where the FA letter was.)</p>
<ol>
<li>A 2250 on the SATs is not any different than a 2280. Even for the Ivies. Clear 2100 (or, a probably safer bet, 2200), and you'll probably do fine. YOU DO NOT NEED 2400. Save the money. Ideally, for top-tier schools, try to get high 600s in everything (700s would be better though).</li>
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<p>4a. Also, seriously, SATs are not everything. I may say "Clear 2100", but there are many kids who have been admitted to top-tier universities with sub-2000 scores. I'm just saying "Clear 2100" because it's better to be safe than sorry.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Somewhat of a continuation of 4: No matter how much you moan and groan, universities are not as meritocratic as they used to be. Yes, you need good grades, but extracurriculars and how you use your time are possibly even more important. Join clubs, fight for a cause, volunteer, etc.!</p></li>
<li><p>Know what your passion is come interview/essay-time. Be able to talk happily about it at length. Makes life a lot easier.</p></li>
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