<p>i've finished all my essays, and i think that they're pretty good... but can essays determine if you're going to be accepted or not?</p>
<p>I wouldn't say so. Honestly, it's been said so many times but stilll people try and figure out what is most important, least important, etc. when really no one was lying when they said "They look at the applicant as a whole". If you have great essays, then that's a plus, but doesn't guarantee acceptance. Besides, what you may think is a great essay may not be what they're looking for, y'know? Though I will say that SSAT scores are probably not as important, I don't think there is ONE deciding factor. If that was the case, then what would be the point of making all us kids complete all of the other things? (Interviews, teacher reccomendations, SSAT scores, report cards, parent statements, etc. etc. etc.)</p>
<p>...Essays matter a lot, Essay and interview are the only ways for them to get to know YOU. As a person...</p>
<p>well essays are important but its really hard to answer your question.</p>
<p>you are like asking whether a gun is more important or a bullet is more important.</p>
<p>it is just a part of the things that you NEED</p>
<p>yeaup. i like the analogy of the gun and the bullet.
everything plays a part in the decision-making.
but just bear in mind that if you are accepted, then there is a reason why they accepted you. and if you are rejected, then there is also a reason why you are rejected.
they either really liked something about YOU that made you stand out from the others, that they see strong potential in. now this can be from your great academic stats, or an area that you are really talented at (sports or arts), or it can from your sincere interst and nice personality which can be seen in the essay. </p>
<p>so essay's are important. definitely. it is one of the two things in the application, along with the interview, where they can see who you are without being judged by the numbers (ssat scores, number of ec's, years of ec's, gpa, etc...)</p>
<p>how do you know that essays are most important mpicz? I'm sure they're important, but my interviewers specifically stressed that they TEACH writing. :D</p>
<p>I agree. The essays to me I think show who you are as a person from the person who isn't limited to a certain time limit to write(say the SSAT's). It's a way to show who you are as a person. Sorry, I think my grammar was terrible in this post</p>
<p>I said the essay and the interview....and I said it is the only way they can get to know you as a person from YOU. Not your teachers or parents...if you can think of any other way they can get to know you directly from you tell me.</p>
<p>lol, it would be nice if they had a Best Friend Recommendation. I personally believe that they can still judge you and your personality objectively, even if they are your best friend.</p>
<p>Lol surprisingly I do too, you'll learn more about how I'll be at the school from my best friend than my parents. Although what your parents say are important also.</p>
<p>My parents are Chinese, and their English isn't very good at all, especially compared to some other parents of ABC's I know. Which is probably why the Parent's Rec is optional, in case they don't speak English.</p>
<p>In terms of private school admissions, the interview is definitely the deciding factor. Essays/SSAT/Recs/Grades will put you in the range, but the interview is the single-most important part of the admissions process.</p>
<p>Teamam, I tend to disagree, if you have an amazing interview but awful essays, SSAT scores, reccomendations and grades.. you're not going to get in, because you'll be up against other people who had amazing interviews but ALSO had great ssat scores, recs, etc. You need to be well-rounded and they need to like YOU. I think that no one part is more important than the other because when it all comes down to it, if you're a rotten person, that's going to show through in many different aspects of the application and that in itself is going to keep you from an acceptance letter. It's not just a kid with good grades that they're letting into their school, its YOU, and if they don't like who you are (and they'll figure that out by looking at your application as a whole) then you can guarantee you won't be getting in.</p>
<p>Again, I wish they had a Best Friends' Rec. Who would know better than your best friends on how nice you are to everyone around you?</p>
<p>Ah, yes, Nasafato that would be awwwesome, but who's best friend wouldn't say something great about them? Guess that's why it wouldn't work. Oh well.</p>
<p>I sure hope essays are important, I worked sooo hard on them!</p>
<p>Yeah, lol, that's the problem. Unfortunately, my best friend is still kind of immature, but he still owes me, after I helped him with EVERYTHING (he cheats off of me alot during tests, even though he skipped a grade and all) but then, I help everyone in my school. Idk, I also wish Exeter had an essay question like Deerfield's, asking about what you want to acheive in life, your dreams, etc. That's something I've thought ALOT about, and I have a bunch of answers for it.</p>