<p>Neither of my kids started essays in the summer, but both went through numerous false starts before they found an approach that allowed them to write an essay they could stand looking at. They both had EA schools so they worked on essays early in the fall.</p>
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Actually, I think that a middling essay can still provide valuable information that helps push an admissions decision - but that, of course, is only if the essay does the job of providing some sort of extra bit of information or some insight into the writer’s personality and goals that not readily apparent from other parts of the application. The kid who is captain of the football team who writes about the valuable life lessons learned from playing football probably is not giving that sort of information – but an essay that reveals something counterintuitive about a kid or fleshes out some other information, may be very helpful. Whether it makes or breaks an application isn’t the point – we are talking about multiple data points and an additive process, and some bit of information gleaned from an essay may simply be the thing that, in combination with other factors, pushes the decision one way or another. </p>
<p>There really is no way to predict or know what this added piece of information might be. I think too many people approach the process by trying to write what they think the college wants to see as opposed to simply relaxing and sharing, and hoping for the best. </p>
<p>But the essay is often the ONLY part of the application where the reader has the opportunity to hear directly from the student, in the student’s own voice. Even if there has been a face-to-face interview, it likely was done by someone other than the application reader – so the reader is merely reading a report of the interviewers impressions, not the words of the student. </p>
<p>Think of the musical, A Chorus Line. The cast members are auditioning for roles where their technical skills as dancers and singers are paramount - but to the audience, it is the individual story that each tells that becomes most memorable. Which story seems most compelling might depend largely on the personal preferences and biases of each audience member … but without the stories you wouldn’t have nearly as much to go on if it became your job to make a selection.</p>
<p>My parents were both involved in my application process. my dad in particular was kind of obsessed with the whole experience, which was occasionally annoying, but i was also grateful for his help as he is a fantastic writer and therefore a good editor. i don’t feel that my essays were changed or written for me, but it certainly helped to have someone tell me which parts were weak and what i could cut to make the word limit.</p>
<p>on the subject of legacies, i know it’s infuriating to think that people are getting in for reasons other than their own merit. i have had some feelings of jealousy towards a friend of mine who got into all 6 of the Ivy schools she applied to because she was a strong, african american (but NOT economically disadvantaged) student. however, i also recognize that it can be very difficult to deal with people’s resentment towards kids who get in and happen to be minorities or legacies. she is a very bright and talented person, and frankly, she deserves to be at harvard, even if it may have been easier for her in the admissions process because of her race. similarly, my family has something of a history of going to Columbia, on both sides of my family. i know that some of my friends who wanted to go to Columbia but who werent accepted resented me for getting in, even though i do have all the qualifications, and to be honest, i too have been troubled at times by the thought that i might have been accepted because of my legacy. however, i would like to think that i was accepted because i am worthy of being there.</p>
<p>Neither of my parents were involved in the applications process, and I think it was for the best. In my opinion, if they had been involved, I wouldn’t have been completely honest, because I feel more comfortable sharing things with complete strangers than I do with my family - for instance, I doubt my mother would have understood my rant about the merits of mint tea at 5:30 a.m.; I would have simply earned myself the charge of facetiousness. Furthermore, they would have probably been over-critical and damaged my self-esteem more than they already do on a daily basis.</p>
<p>On the subject of legacies:
Well, they have to differentiate somehow. It’s not fair; it’s not right; but it’s life.</p>
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<p>People who are accepted usually do have something going for them besides a status that might get them a second look; merit is factored into the admissions equation.</p>