<p>My son was admitted ED. We are trying to figure out what role, if any, his essay had on his admission. He wrote about a controversal subject. His GC tried to get him to change it, but my son had already sent it to Amherst. We are trying to determine if he was accepted because of his essay, or in spite of it. His acceptance letter said “the qualities of mind and spirit captured in your essays confirmed for us your appropriateness…” Is this part of the standard acceptance letter or was it directed to him specifically? Anyone else accepted Ed have the same language in their letter?</p>
<p>Yeah, that was the same wording in my letter as well. My Common App essay was actually about a palm tree, while for the supplemental one I wrote about the science prompt. Both were rather innocuous, but very different, because in the palm tree essay I waxed philosophical, and the science was more anecdotal. Both were pretty good, but I'm not sure how much influence essays have on acceptance.</p>
<p>Thanks. i guess we will never know.</p>
<p>i would think that that is just standard and not specific language on the letter. </p>
<p>Although i'm not really accociated with Amherst College, I'm familiar with the spirit of the town and the school, and would guess that he was accepted more likely because of it than in spite of it, because we (the town) feed off of controversy. </p>
<p>really, we will never know, but that was my light on the matter. </p>
<p>congrats to your son; Amherst is a good school.
(oh, and tell him to leave out the "h" when he pronounces "Amherst," or he'll be the laughingstock of the locals)</p>
<p>My D applied RD, and received and early write. I understand that some of the professors call these students to urge them to come. My D's prof was none other than Dr. Marx who, even tho he is Pres, also teaches poli sci. He referred specifically to her essay in their conversation, which was on roller coasters. So I think they do matter. And the topic isn't all that matters, but how you express yourself and show your personality through it. They matter a lot because Amherst doesn't have interviews. They obviously liked who your son is in his essays. Good luck to you and your son, and welcome to Amherst!</p>
<p>Thanks all. Thanks for the heads up on the silent h, Gleech. We were wondering about that. My son and we are so excited that he will be attending Amherst. One of the things we particularly liked about Amerst was the friendly athmosphere both on campus and in town. We will probably visit again in the spring just to look around and buy some Amherst gear. Can't wait.</p>
<p>Evita, I read Dr. Marx's bio. He has lived a life that reflects the values I hope my son will incorporate in his own. It just makes me reconfirm that Amherst is the place for him</p>
<p>AJ Hastings in town for gear. And D thinks that is why she loves it so much - the kids aren't stuck up, and overall open and friendly. She has made many wonderful friends. I know your son will be very happy there. Good luck.</p>
<p>Hey, I was debating between Amherst and Brown for a long time...I ended up choosing Brown ( and got in ED :-) ). Anyways, I had already written my essays for the other schools that I was applying to, but I guess I don't need them now. If anyone wants to take a look (I did the "meretricious purity" one), I'd be glad to show my essay.</p>
<p>Good luck RDers and congrats to all admits!</p>
<p>Chaz, care to swap essays? Since my "metetricious purity" essay got me in ED and a scholarship slot, I'm curoius on how I tackled this compared to others. Give me a PM later.</p>
<p>chammom....</p>
<p>Last year my S submitted an illustrated personal statement which was commented on by quite a few of the Deans.</p>
<p>The one school that he got a rejection letter was the one school where that type of essay was supposed to be a big plus (Brown).</p>
<p>I went on for a few weeks trying to figure it out. It obviously doesn't matter in the long run as he is now attending Princeton.</p>
<p>The more I read this forum the more I am convinced how important a role the essays play in admissions. I have also spoken with some of the associate admission people in one particular Ivy who confirmed this. The essay is the way the applicant conveys who they are to the reader and shows a bit of their heart. When adcoms read 1000 applications each, it helps to have an interesting essay to break the boredom.</p>
<p>I guess I am interested in knowing if it was a tip factor because it would provide a valuable lesson for my son to have the courage to speak out against what he perceives to be wrong. He was under a lot of pressure to change it, and he did not. However, with so many factors going into the admissions decision it is hard to figure out.</p>