I am so stupid and just noticed that I read a supplemental essay prompt wrong after already submitting my application. I applied to Purdue and it asks how “Purdue supports my interest inside and outside of the classroom” but I only answered inside. I can’ believe I made this careless mistake. Would this basically be an automatic rejection?
Automatic reject? Definitely not.
It’s not ideal that you didn’t answer the prompt completely but that doesn’t sound like a deal breaker to me. You still have the rest of your application to support you.
And hopefully you researched Purdue well and answered the other half of the prompt with specifics about how Purdue is a good match for you (and vice versa).
1 Like
I can’t imagine a scenario where a small error like that would be an auto-reject.
2 Likes
Who even knows if they read the essays…or if they read them that closely? Nothing you can do now - but always have someone proof your essays. Show them the prompt. This is why.
It certainly won’t be an auto reject.
1 Like
This is a fancy wording for, “Why do you want to come to Purdue?” As long as you wrote about why you want to go there, it will be fine.
8 Likes
Legend says a guy wrote he practiced clam fart for 17 years and got into Yale.
You are fine.
1 Like
There is still the essay that is a love letter to toilets that not only was successful, but is shared as an example of a successful essay (Harvard, I think).
I don’t know about Purdue specifically but at the T20s and many others, essays are a big part of the holistic review process and can be a key differentiator.
Regardless, OP doesn’t have anything to worry about.
3 Likes
Well I know someone at a top 20 (a prof) who was on the admission committee that was disagree…for kids that did not meet an academic minimum that they set.
Well, yes. If someone doesn’t meet the minimum academic standard then the essays won’t matter much. I meant, for qualified applicants at selective schools the essays are definitely read and will make a difference in putting someone over the top.
1 Like
Let’s get back to the OP’s specific question now.