I have an application list of 21 universities (14 supplemental essays are finished as well as the Common App essay itself by now) [15 are Early Action]. I kept my school list large since I am aware of low acceptance rates for these schools (even when some rejected applicants may qualify academically) and want to maximize the possibility of enrolling in a prestigious school.
The problem is, since I am doing a large array of schools, it is hard to go back and consistently SCRUTINIZE or REVISE each essay with an insane amount of observance and finish the application process on time.
I am not indicating that I half-assed any supplemental or essay, but I am just wondering how big a factor this is in terms of admissions. I am just pressed on time and am currently in this pool of anxiety since I am required to ensure the highest degree of quality and completion to dozens of schools.
Essays are typically considered important, especially at schools that practice holistic admissions (typically private and/or more selective schools), but you can check each school’s CDS for the details.
Regarding finishing your essays, at the very least make sure there are no typos. Do you have a parent, english teacher and/or GC who can provide another set of eyes? Lastly, please make sure you are applying to match and safety schools as well as ‘prestigious’ schools.
The supplemental essays are very important at the prestigious schools. Sorry about the stress it places on you, but if it is any help in easing your mind, consider the fact that at these schools, virtually all of the applicants will be applying to a wide (double digit) list of schools. So you are in a lot of company.
I know it is much easier said that done for me to advise you to “Relax!” Just be sure you are writing each essay for the right school - if you write each one on its own then no problem, but it is when you start copying from one school to another, you run the risks of making mistakes.
Best of luck to you!
Not just very important. For prestigious colleges, extremely important. Can be make or break. Think of the whole supplement as a big form of a Why Us. They ask questions they designed, to see how you fit what they want. If you’re aiming high, you should know none of this is their idle curiosity. Your answers can show more than who you are: your understanding of what matters.
“15 are Early Action.”
I’ll have to assume that either all of them are non-restrictive kind or only one of these is restrictive or single choice while the rest consists of public institutions?
IMO, this is the problem when students apply to too many schools (and in my book, 21 schools is way too many). If you can, cull your list.
The more selective the school, the more important the supplemental essay. State school not a big deal (except for schools like Berkeley, UVA, or Michigan). Ivy League or top LAC they are important. College admissions is not like carpet bombing
I have to agree 21 suggests any prestige college will do it for you. Remember, they know kids apply to many, but can be a little narcissist when it comes to why you chose them, why you want them over others. Not that any top school will do it for you. Hope you have safeties.
Did you self match to these? It means not just them filling what you want, but your match to what they want.
Triage your EA list down to your top 6±. Make sure there is at least 1 match/low match in the list. Just focus on the essays for these schools this weekend. Make sure they are in the best shape that you can put them in. If you have time afterwards to work on a couple of more EA apps before the deadline, finish those. Don’t submit something EA that is not your best work. Then rank your remaining schools in groups of 5-6. Finalize each pod before moving to the next. The bottom 5-10 schools probably don’t need to be done until after you get your EA results. Hopefully at least 1 EA will come through (why the match/low match), which will allow you to eliminate schools and app submissions/essays of schools you have ranked below the school(s) where you have been admitted.
IMHO the supplemental essays are partly there to cull the herd. They are an additional barrier to entry to see who will bother and who will bother to do them well.
If you don’t really want to attend X school, you will not do the essays or do them well. Or the number of those essays will cause you to not apply.
Wait til you have to do financial aid paperwork for all those schools. You will be tearing your hair out. And yes, the supplemental essays are very important.