<p>First off, in discussions with my cousin who graduated from Notre Dame, and then an MD degree from Yale...he said that if a college was looking for 500 words, they were looking for 500 words....so, my daughter stuck to that limit. I hope that wasn't a mistake. (cousin gratuated about 20 years ago, so maybe things have changed).</p>
<p>My question is this. We are from a slighlty inner-city school. Her essay was her own. Oh, she did have her english teacher review it and help edit some parts, but otherwise it was 100% hers.</p>
<p>Can a admissions office distinguish between an essay that was truly written by the student, or one that was highly influened by say, a college counselor.
Our school doesn't even have SAT classes. We have a handful of guidance counselors who really don't have the time to do any hand holding during the application process and even our teachers get testy when a kid asks them for more than three or four recommendations. </p>
<p>So, even aside from the essays, can the admissions office determine between an entire application that got the $5000 touch, or one that is truly 100% student?</p>
<p>Hey, while I am on the subject of slightly inner-city schools, is there any way the admissions office picks this up? And, if so, would it be a plus or minus? I mean, the district isn't poor, but I would guess 25% are on welfare of something like that.</p>
<p>I do not know how You can argue about the importance on essays, since it is on the net:</p>
<p>What is the relative importance of specific academic factors in admission decisions?
Secondary school record: Very important
Class rank: Very important
Recommendation(s): Very important
Standardized test scores: Very important
Essay: Very important </p>
<p>What is the relative importance of specific nonacademic factors in admission decisions?
Interview: Considered
Extracurricular activities: Very important
Talent/ability: Very important
Character/personal qualities: Very important
Alumni/ae relation: Important
Geographical residence: Important
State residency: Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment: Considered
Minority status: Considered
Volunteer work: Important
Work experience: Important </p>
<p>As You can see scores are as much important as essays or recommendations and I guess those will get into, who will have perfect scores, recommendations, school transcript, rank and essay, but also participated in many EC's and presented good PQs, as well as talent in some areas.</p>
<p>akashbansal
lol. this may sound stupid, when i scrolled down saw 780 i thot it was ur sat 2 score for an optional test. then i saw 200. i was like wtf. then i see it says summer. i kno ppl might think this is dumb.. but i guess it was like for a nanosecond.. i thot... :p</p>
<p>perhaps the essays affect everybody's application in different ways. for myself, i expect my essays to be a big asset, but the strength of others' (successful) applications may not lie with their essays.
i think really good essays can be a big help, but normal essays are not detriments. the game with these essays is just to make yourself stand out.</p>
<p>Yea blame shakespeare, but now it's one of those things that when people make the mistake enough, it's considered correct. :mad: one of my pet peeves. WOE IS I! lol </p>
<p>Cavalier, yes I was in school when I posted that and I went to bed at 3:30, but thanks to two cups of coffee I'm still alive.</p>
<p>ooh i took a princeton day today. as opposed to personal or sick day, i just call up attendance and say that my mind can't function with all the princeton stress accumulating inside.</p>
<p>if i get in to princeton, my whole family will be recieving princeton paraphernalia for xmas. zant, you can come with me on the december 17th princeton road trip (we are making a pit stop at the princeton store)</p>