<p>I'm not exactly the strongest of writers, and the adcoms seem so HEAVILY weight the essay into their decisions. </p>
<p>Is it possible to still have a chance even if one's essays are just OK?</p>
<p>Of course.
Not everyone is a great writer.
If your numbers are compelling, and you have demonstrated a sufficient interest in a school, then you should be competitive.
The problem is that most people are not clear "admits" or clear "denies," so the Admissions Committee looks for ways to compare how "interesting" people with similar numbers are. That's when the essays (what the Tufts admissions dean likes to call the applicant's "voice") comes into play, as well as recommendations.<br>
In short, if numbers are competitive, but not overwhelming, you need to make the Admissions Office think that you would be a good addition to the school.</p>
<p>To be non-euphemistic about it; no, you will not get in with sub-par essays unless you have other aspects, such as stellar numbers, to compensate. Sub-par essays with average numbers will get you dinged.</p>
<p>Wow...I'm pretty worried now...My mothertongue isn't English (international student) and I don't believe I'm a great writer in English at all. I just want to ask in the adcoms' standard, whats considered as a sub-par essay?</p>
<p>If you are an international not applying for financial aid, just try your best. I won't say that you're a shoe-in, especially if you have sub-par essays or average scores, but you still have a pretty good shot.</p>
<p>Ah, thanks. I believe I'll just try my best and see how far I can go with the essays (can't do much about my SAT score anyway). By the way (maybe a bit off-topic), do the adcoms compare my application to all other students', or just int. students'?</p>
<p>does anyone know if it will hurt my chances if my essay is longer than 200 words? right now both of them are around 270.</p>
<p>anyone know?</p>
<p>Mowgli, you're ok. Think of the word counts as strong suggestions, not as hard limits. They are there to guide you towards concise and focused writing. It's important to stay in the ballpark, but 270 is still in the ballpark. </p>
<p>I'll also comment on the concept of 'sub-par' writing. It feels like the idea of 'quality writing' being discussed above is narrowly constrained. Not everyone is a magnificent writer, and many strong applicants do not count writing amongst their strengths. To draw the conclusion that an applicant isn't intelligent or intellectual or interesting because their writing doesn't sparkle is to miss a great deal of great kids. For a large number of applicants, the essays put them in the class not because of the eloquence of the prose, but because of what that prose says about the student. That essay has value and quality, irrespective of the number of 6 syllable words or the grace with which a sentence is strung together. </p>
<p>Even if you aren't a stellar writer, if you can write honestly (and deeply) about who you are, your essay can have meaning and impact. And I'm not just saying that.</p>
<p>Your essays and your recommendations compose the bulk of the personality present in your app, and it would be correct to say that your personality has a large impact in the process. The reality is that we get so many academically qualified students that your stats are only that first piece. A hugely important piece, but still only the first piece. Your recs and essays should evince an understanding of who you are; if you or your recs don't show how your personality and intellectualism will add to the class, then you place yourself at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>is the optional essay really optional? It kind of seems like they expect you to do it, but my creative writing skills aren't great. I don't feel like i could really write anything that would increase my chances of getting in, but I also don't want them to think I didn't care enough to write the optional essay. Help......I've finished the rest of the app but am putting off sending it in because I can't seem to write an optional essay I am happy with. Anybody have an opinion/advice...please?????????</p>
<p>Actually, literally optional. Yay for honest policies!</p>
<p>but do applicants who don't do the optional essay get in? heh</p>
<p>yes. lol they've posted all over this site just to assure you.</p>
<p>when we're talking about being 'in the ballpark' for word limits . . . I got a bit carried away with one of my short essays (and the optional essay, but not as much) . . . what really would be out of the ballpark?</p>
<p>sorry, ignore that . . . found the answer in the other thread :-)</p>