Can the essay seal the deal (for Harvard/Cornell)?

Applying to College
1

<p>I will be a senior this year and have already taken the SAT. I scored a 2020, which I am pretty upset about. I am wondering if my chances of getting accepted into Harvard/Cornell will be increased if I write an extremely interesting essay?</p>

<p>I am taking the SAT again in October, and am shooting to achieve a 2250+. So all hope is not lost, although I am trying to be realistic and assume that worst-case scenario I do not score better the second time around. </p>

<p>Essentially I feel that my biggest strength in getting admitted will be the essay. I have an obsessive fascination with postmodernism and feel that I have certain philosophical views that will stand out among the standard (and boring) intellectual elite that apply.</p>

<p>In other words, will an extremely unique and borderline risky essay bolster my chances of admission? </p>

<p>A couple of quick notes:
1) I didn't study at all for the SAT when I first took it, and will be much more prepared in October.
2) Harvard sent me a packet of information (did not request) as well as an application.</p>

2

<p>An extremely interesting and well-written essay would obviously be a plus on any application. Just don’t get too cocky about your abilities, be sure to show and not tell, etc, etc. [url=<a href="http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html]Here’s[/url"&gt;http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html]Here’s[/url&lt;/a&gt;] a nice article about the good, the bad, and the “risky” in regards to college essays.</p>

<p>Also, Harvard sending you information does not mean anything other than that you took the psat, scored relatively high, and signed up to receive information from colleges.</p>

3

<p>I’m not cocky in the least bit. And I don’t mean risky in the same way that your link talks about. The examples on that site are pretty atrocious, and ridiculously pretentious to say the least.</p>

4

<p>An essay will not NOT make up for bad grades or scores. One way to look at it is essays are tie breakers.</p>

5

<p>I’m not making up for bad grades. I’m trying to stand out.</p>

6

<p>lmao</p>

<p>You’re applying because Harvard gave you MAIL?? ( Do you have legacy…)</p>

7

<p>Yeah, I decided I wanted to go to the greatest college in the country because they sent me mail. That’s really it.</p>

8

<p>An essay can have you stand out. But don’t hold your breath. There are so many great writers, with top of the line GPA, ECs, and scores.</p>

9

<p>Essays can make you stand out, but really, people can write anything they want in their essays. You can’t rely on essays to get you into top schools.</p>

10

<p>Heard this during a college admissions informational this summer: “A good essay or interview can take you off life support, but it can’t bring you back from the dead.”</p>

11

<p>The essay becomes a tie breaker once you have the stats. Harvard can only take a small fraction of the 4.0/2300s. Once in a blue moon there is an essay that helps overcome sub par stats, but the thing is, most kids (just read this site) believe they have brilliant, unusual essays, and most adcom don’t agree.</p>

12

<p>First off, I highly doubt that “an obsessive fascination with postmodernism” will accomplish anything(other than making you seem creepy, of course). The essay is a chance to show your personality, not a chance to expound on an obscure academic interest.</p>

<p>Oh, and prepare for the “boring intellectual elite” to beat you out in admissions.</p>

13

<p>Don’t put much stock in the mail you got from Harvard - a ton of people on CC, including myself, received the same packed including the application. There was a thread about it on the Harvard board, I believe. If you want to apply to Harvard, apply - but don’t do it because of something you got in the mail.</p>

<p>And the same as other people said - lots of people have the whole package; don’t count on your essays getting you in.</p>

14

<p>Lol even I got that Harvard packet, which must mean they’re giving them out like candy. I threw it in the trash after I opened it because I have no chance at all.</p>