<p>Hi everyone,
I want to raise a question and request some inside information directly from people who have admission experience (student representative, etc.)
Many colleges (including top schools like HYPSM) have repeatedly stress that internship, research, extra recommendation letters, and even interview are really optional, which means that not having these will not adversely affect your chance. But imagine the following scenario:
On a top-ranking university website, there is a notification: we have 10000 applicants and of 800 admitted students this year, only 20 students submitted their research paper for evaluation.
OK, so the first reaction of most people is: that's a relief for me since I don't have any research. I'm still in good chance.
However, there may be another fact that the university does not reveal: among the 10000 applicants, only 30 submitted their research paper, and out of the 30 students, 20 have been admitted.
It is a shock, isn't it?
I may exaggerate the actual situation, but this may somewhat be the case.
Other "really optional materials" like internship, if fruitful, third recommendation, if passionate, interview, if impressive, may also have the similar effect: though lack of these will not disqualify you, possession of these will increase your chance beyond your expectation.
Since I do not have any experience of admission, (and so do many other members), I want to raise the question and ask for those who are working or have been working for admission office to help me clarify whether my imagery situation is true, and to what extent.</p>
<p>You assume that in your example, that the 30 research submitters somehow advanced b/c they met some checklist of criteria. It doesn’t work like that. Each holistically read application will be the sum of the parts. Someone with a great background, top academics, and quirky hobbies may get through over some one whose app looks like a clone of 200 others. One of these “clones” might share something poignant in the essay which grabs the first reader and advances to the next stage. Top college admissions is not linear nor, IMHO, very discernable beyond the fact that they look for excellence, potential, and immediate ability to contribute to the college.</p>
<p>You are who you are. Trying to break some code of essential attributes of successful applicants is going to be fruitless.</p>
<p>I’ll be frank though. Kids I’ve interviewed who got in were the kind of people whose lives already showed they were looking far and beyond even what my HYP college had to offer. I got the sense from these people that they easily could have eschewed the acceptance b/c they were already on a path to greatness elsewhere. Sorry if this is a bizarre description but the ones I met were standouts even in the super competitive pool of applicants I see each year.</p>
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<p>This.</p>
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<p>FYI, there are relatively few college reps here on CC, the ones that are have designations under their member name. Most of the college reps tend to stick to the individual forum for the college they work for. </p>
<p>If you are intent on the feedback of a college rep, I suggest you call the college rather than posting here.</p>