<p>Stellar Letters of recommendation, a visit or interview if possible, a great essay that really shows you as a unique candidate. You might start by thinking why this particular school is your dream school— that should give you an idea of what special thing you have to offer. And what proves your ability, your motivation? Why should they want you? Good luck!</p>
<p>Be 100% yourself. Do not try to “sell” yourself to the school. They’ve seen and heard it all. Don’t be someone you’re not.</p>
<p>Tell them you were abducted by aliens, and that since then you have had some amazing abilities. For instance, you are able to levitate and read people’s minds. It would make for a great athlete and student. </p>
<p>It’s how I got into Stanford and Harvard.</p>
<p>^^^Nope. “Where else are you applying? UChicago, Pomona, William and Mary, Davidson, Pomona, Wake Forest, Kenyon, Occidental, American”</p>
<p>That search button here keeps us honest.</p>
<p>^^^^ Hahahahah, as if I was being serious.</p>
<p>write a great essay</p>
<p>What is everyone’s opinion regarding whether elite colleges (ivy’s, middlebury, bowdoin, etc) prefer candidates from private schools versus public schools, all else being equal.<br>
What I mean is: if the student is an A student, taken 8 AP classes (receiving 4’s and 5’s), SAT’s in the 2100-2200 range, good extra-curriculars, do you think it is more favorable to be from an elite private v. large urban public school? Another words, should I accept a spot at Thacher, Choate, or St. Pauls, or should my parents save the $45K+ per year and go public?
Deadline is in 2 weeks…</p>
<p>Hey Greek Guy: there’s a whole thread in the parents section about this. (Conclusion: yes, it will help you to get into some colleges, but doing well in a Good public works well too.)
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<p>brabble: of course…Dah!.</p>
<p>greekguy, you need to honestly ask yourself if you’ll be able to be a straight-A candidate at those prep schools. If you succeed in a well-known prep school, you’ll likely have more than a few selective college acceptances coming your way come senior year, but you may be better off remaining a superstar at a public high school.</p>
<p>hey i dont mean to be a nuicance but its extremely annoying what you just did there greekguy. i mean this is my post and its my question taht i would really like answered and you just came over here and totally took it over with your ocmpletely irrelevant question and now everyone is addressing your problem. if you have a concern you can create your own post, otherwise please dont ask it on mine, i really need help here</p>
<p>I still don’t understand if you are a junior or a senior. If you are a senior and the application is in, all you can do now is write a compelling letter right away and have your GC call if you are waitlisted. If you are a junior and we are talking about an LAC, they do care somewhat about interviews, so you should get there for an interview if possible. It may give you a slight edge. Also apply ED I if they have it, or if you want to try an EA first, then apply ED II if they have it.</p>
<p>ok ill explain my situation in full right here so there is no more confusion. basically im a senior in high school graduating this june and there is a school where i dont have a very favorable chance at getting an acceptance. last november when i was applying to all of my schools i considered this school but thought that my chances were too slim and id just be wasting the application fee. as time went on i realized that i still really want to take my chances and regardless of how much money i lose i want to at least attempt at getting in. so i called the university and they said it was not too late for me to apply, so now i am doing my application and trying to do everything i can in order to get in for the fall of 2010 semester</p>
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<p>I think out of HYP, Princeton treats the interview the most lightly. This was the impression given to me by my interviewer, who didn’t see the interview as in any way significant at all. (Save for weeding out complete psychopaths of course)</p>
<p>D…I think you did the right thing in this situation: called them to see if it’s not too late. I wonder, when you called, did you speak with anyone in particular? It really helps to know the person who will be reading your application, not so you can tailor the application to that person, but so they know you - a name beyond just that on a form. </p>
<p>You might also want to follow up to see if whether, since it’s not too late, you can interview there. At least try to visit too, if you can. The more you explain yourself, the more appealing your application will be. I think there’s a saying that applies here: “To know me is to love me”. Sounds silly, I know, but it’s what may make you stand out.</p>
<p>Apply early, and have a well-written essay. </p>
<p>Every word in your essay should be perfect, and make sure your essay is coherent as well.</p>
<p>I don’t think every word in your essay needs to be perfect. You just need to get across the more compelling aspects of your personality.</p>
<p>Thats wonderful advice Eagle :p</p>
<p>Show your interest in the school. Go there for summer programs, open houses, tours etc.</p>
<p>Never reject an interview.</p>
<p>I hate to say it, D, but the fact you’re applying late could really hurt you if the school is a reach. It would have been much better to apply early, or even regular. Since so many applicants must already have been accepted, you really face terrible odds. That said, I think the most important thing you could do is work on your attitude. It shines through your essays and a possible interview. You can’t appear as desperate or angry as you do in this thread, or you won’t be admitted.</p>
<p>To answer the thread-jacker’s question, it obviously looks better if you do well at an elite private or public school than an average public school. That does not mean you have to spend $45,000 on an elite prep school. If you have the money to spend, and you think you’d do well there, AND YOU WANT TO GO TO SUCH A SCHOOL, then it may not be a bad idea. I’d also like to add that if you’re rich, you better not waste yur time and money. Holistic admissions processes do not look kindly on those who have squandered the opportunities they’ve been given or those who feel entitled to their wealth and status.</p>