<p>Hi everyone,
I'm a junior now and I plan to apply to all the top colleges in the fall/winter 2011. I am sort of unsure about the essays that I will have to write. Could anyone send me any of there old essays, so I can get a feel for the writing style; I don't quite get the humor verses serious aspect and what not. Send me anything you think can help, and please pm any essays you have written.</p>
<p>Thank you, this will help me out so much.</p>
<p>(posted under harvard and pton aswell, i hope that ok)</p>
<p>My advice would be as simple as, “Be unique.” The admissions officers at HYPS are making decisions about kids with amazing academic records, I would say that it is nearly impossible to stand out when it comes to academics because they have plenty of “perfect” academic applicants. This means you have to write an essay that sets yourself apart from the rest of the applicants. I would say that you should ask yourself, “Do I think any other applicant has written this same essay?” before you hit the submit button. Anything that show the counselor that you are unique would definitely help.</p>
<p>Take my advice with a grain of salt, as I have not been accepted to HYPS. While I may be under qualified compared to other individuals on this site, I still think my advice is credible.</p>
<p>I agree that being unique in the essay is important.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you need to consider how this “uniqueness” is coming across. I personally believe that the most important element of an essay is passion. Really. If you’re going to get into HYPS, you better have some academic or extracurricular interest that you are in love with, whether it be artistic, athletic, academic, etc. You should never compromise this passion with “uniqueness.” You should focus on your interests and be unique in APPROACH, but do not overload on being unique such that your essay has little substance. Don’t pick a topic that is wildly different if you are not going to tie it in to something special about you; you’ll call attention to your application, but there will be little there for them to see.</p>
<p>I’d say the most unique essay is one that is extremely personal to you. Why? Because no one has experienced something exactly like you have. Just be you, and the uniqueness will come.</p>
<p>“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth, without caring two pence how often it has been told before, you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” - C.S Lewis</p>
<p>No, think more like, “Has anyone else written an essay like this in the same way as I am?”. Your own voice coming through matters more than the content. Write about something important to you, but make sure that you are ‘you’ throughout the entire essay.</p>
<p>One of the Yale admissions officers described their process as “a search for the students who will take the greatest advantage of the opportunities Yale provides.”</p>
<p>Convey your passion and demonstrate that you will take advantage of the resources as HYP. Don’t outwardly state it, though. Show it.</p>
<p>what’s been said is al;l correct, I’ll summarize a bit so you’re not overwhelmed…</p>
<p>basically, (with the premise that you are at least a decent writer, no published novels necessary though) you should try to convey something about yourself in your own voice and demonstrate that you are passionate about it. I’d advise against talking about a cliched topic (close relative’s illness, sports injury and lessons from it, trip to 3rd world country and lessons from it, etc.) not bc it didn’t have a meaningful impact on you, but because honestly, it’s difficu;t to be unique about something thousands of people have written before, but as has been said, it’s all in the approach anyway…</p>
<p>DO NOT be gimmicky, it’s been done, it’s tasteless, it lowers the percieved intelligence of yourself and your reader(who will NOT be pleased). I definitely agree with the “passion” concept, and the show you will take advantage of opportunities one(although this is usually also demonstrated through your activities and transcript as well) I don’t send anyone my essays, but if you ever need someone to look your over and edit, let me know. Best of luck.</p>