<p>NCBoy1:</p>
<p>I’m not saying that academics are no longer considered beyond the baseline, I’m simply saying that the differences between two applicants above the baseline are far less important than those between one above and one below. 4.0 GPA and 2300 SAT does indeed look a lot better than 3.7 GPA and 2200 SAT, but I’d say that that’s because a 3.7 GPA is below the baseline. If we considered a 4.7/2300 vs. a 4.5/2200, I see little difference, and I think Adcom would feel similarly.</p>
<p>I think Dean Guttentag’s words regarding the essays are definitely true, but it seems to me that his emphasis was on not stressing out over the application in general. He probably mentioned essays specifically because that’s one of the more commonly stressed-over aspects of an college application, but I would argue that his bigger point was to not kill yourself over the application in general.</p>
<p>To answer your point about the ECs, yes they are very important. But the reason I argue that the essays are more important than the ECs is because simply having an association with an organization does not show much. When I look at the “Chance Me” threads on this forum, I often see long lists of many different organizations for each individual. But to me, they aren’t ultimately that different. The reason behind this is because an EC, much like the GPA, is a relatively shallow point on an application. If I were Adcom, I’d focus less on what you did and more on how what you did changed you.</p>
<p>This is where essays step in. Anyone can list a bunch of ECs. But as I, and as I imagine, Adcom, see it, your essays are where you show the impact your ECs have made on your character.</p>
<p>Think of it this way. Let’s say there are two essays sitting side by side. One lists the many different ECs the applicant did, and how he accomplished many different feats in each different organization. In addition, he lists the many awards and honors he has garnered at the national level in each activity. The other focuses on only one EC and provides an anecdote about how the applicant worked day and night on his entry to the regional science fair. Even though he didn’t win, he learned a lot about his work ethic and interest in science, and is nonetheless proud of his entry.</p>
<p>Essay 2 would stand out to me, far more so than essay 1. That’s because the second gave me a sense of the applicant’s character and personality, while the first only listed glorified statistics.</p>
<p>The most important thing in an application is to convey a sense of yourself as an individual. The only venue through which you can do this is the essay, and if you get one, the interview. (Of course, the interview isn’t formally considered in the application process.) That’s why essays are so important. Everything else is either a statistic or what someone else thinks of you. The essay is the only aspect of your application that carries your own voice.</p>
<p>Now the recommendations question. Sorry for the long post, by the way. . . I guess I just have a lot to say.</p>
<p>As you said, getting to know your teachers better and choosing the right ones is one way to do so. But it’s also important for your teachers to get to know you better. A lot of people think that this means staying after class to talk and the like, but it needs not be. My biggest piece of advice regarding teacher recommendations is to be unique in class. Speak up often. Try to develop a more personal relationship with your teachers. A good way to do this is to maybe try and inject a bit of humor into class discussions; I did my best to do that. You want your teachers to see the real you, and let’s face it, most people aren’t only stiff, rigid, academic machines.</p>
<p>Another thing that you can try to do is to ask your teachers to cater their recommendations towards a certain facet of yourself. For instance, if you want to make sure the recommendation conveys your admirable work ethic, or your constant optimism and bright attitude, or your willingness to put in extra effort towards success, ask your teachers to focus on it a bit! That way, you know what’s going into your recommendation.</p>
<p>One thing to NEVER do is to ask to see a recommendation. Some teachers will offer to let you see. . . one of mine did. But never ask to see a recommendation. This will make the teacher think that you don’t trust them to write about you well, which is not a feeling you want the teacher to foster while recommending you.</p>
<p>Hope I helped, and again, sorry for the incredibly long post!</p>
<p>~Jimmy</p>
. That is, unless you are secretly an admissions officer, in which case I will shut up and admit I know nothing :)</p>