<p>Seriously, no one is getting in because they barraged the admissions office with pointless mail. Sending songs and poems does not give you an in. An “in” would be a trustee pushing for you maybe or your family donated a building. I’m sure other parents will comment, I seriously doubt you will find one with a kid who sent mail like that. Just personally, my daughter did get into Chicago and Brown and never sent anything at all except her application. She had very good academics-- not stellar, good scores–not perfect, okay she had a very well developed EC. Spend your efforts on making yourself a great applicant–become an engaged person, be a student who teachers will love to write recommendations for. Make a really great application that tells a great story, that’s how you stand out. Not by gimmicks as mentioned here:
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<p>I have to admit there is one fun story told in The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process at a Premier College (read this for a better idea of what it takes) that was about a kid who was waitlisted who sent a postcard to admissions every day with a reason he should be admitted. This was appreciated and he did get off the waitlist. That was Carter Bays, co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, and I bet the postcards were clever. But that is done now. And that was a waitlist.</p>
<p>It is true that competition is overwhelming at a handful of top colleges. Sure apply to some if you like them, but spend time on fit and putting together a balanced list of colleges. Learn about the hidden gems.</p>