<p>Are they looking for the kids with the highest grades on the transcripts, or more so students that would fit the program best as a whole? I feel like my extracurriculars and essays show that I would be a good fit, and I my guidance department must’ve felt I would be a strong enough candidate if they nominated me, and I have a very good transcript with rigorous classes but I’m might not be top 10 in the class.</p>
<p>Sounds like you’re fine gabster. To be honest the first round of cuts (from my understanding) isn’t all that selective. They weed out people who don’t really sound interested and people who don’t make the marks (although I feel the bar isn’t that high there). They want people who are interesting and enthusiastic, so try to get that across in your essays!</p>
<p>I get the feeling that they care more about the essays…which is the part I’m worried about. My history teacher (also my recommendation teacher) looked over essay 4 (problems and how to solve it) and said, “This isn’t nearly precise or concise enough for 300 words.” He sent it back with a bunch of content errors, so now I’m nervous the rest of my essays are awful, too.</p>
<p>My essays also specifically talk about why I think discussion and argument (not debate) are important and how I get satisfaction out of arriving at a reasonable conclusion after analyzing different sources. I really do have somewhat of a passion for forming thesis statements. Don’t laugh ;D I feel like they’ll find it unbelievable because it seems almost too fitting.</p>
<p>I’m not worried about any other part of the application. My activities are all music or language arts related, but I don’t think they’re looking specifically for students whose interests fit their topic…right? It is interdisciplinary.</p>
<p>I would have a friend or adult look over all your essays, that’s just a good way to edit. Strong prose almost always makes a stronger essay. Honestly, I’m not sure what got the 50% cut, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t their prose. I <em>can</em> tell you though that passion and interest are what they’re looking for in the essays.</p>
<p>I have strong prose, but my writing style is more dry and didactic than enthusiastic. I’m afraid that’s where my passion will be lost. Plus, the word limit is naaasty.</p>
<p>Another NJSP grad here haha. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for advice about the interviews/essays (which are arguably the most important), I would take a look at the NJSP 2010 thread from last year. It definitely helped me. </p>
<p>Have fun with your interviews (I mean that in the sincerest way :P)</p>
<p>-Social committee (XD)</p>
<p>I kind of exceeded the word limit on the essays… i actually needed a second page for about two to three sentences… is that something i should worry about?</p>
<p>i did that too. i don’t think it will matter.</p>
<p>okay, thank you!</p>
<p>If it’s excellent because of those extra words, then it’s not going to hurt you. But if those words aren’t really adding anything, you might be hurting yourself. It’s for you to evaluate, but they do have the limits for a reason. That said, they’re absolutely not going to toss your essays because they’re over word count. Don’t worry about it at this point though, what’s done is done. Good luck to everybody for the first round!</p>
<p>well the info said about 300 words or 1 page. for me, 1 page was 299 words, i think. so around 300 words could be over one page. i just figured they’d either like my essays or they wouldn’t, and a few extra sentences wouldn’t make a difference!</p>
<p>I might sound redundant, but when do we find out if we have an interview?</p>
<p>I am really anxious as well, does anyone know when we hear about interviews?</p>
<p>I’m very upset… forgot about this program until January 1st, when it was too late. I’m pretty sure my guidance counselors either don’t get the applications or don’t hand them out, because no one is ever nominated/goes from my school. <em>sigh</em> good luck anyway!</p>
<p>does anyone know when we find out about the interviews?</p>
<p>We find out about the interviews early march, go to the interviews (if accepted) late march, and find out if we are officially accepted early April. I took the liberty to ask my guidance counselor 
Oh, and does anyone know if PSAT/SAT scores are reviewed? Because my psats aren’t the best and I really don’t want those to hinder my chances…</p>
<p>woohoo the acceptance letter for semifinalist came today! I’m so excited. Did anyone else recieve one?</p>
<p>I received mine today too, and am very excited! When is your interview?</p>
<p>I got my letter 
I am so happy , I’m a semi-finalist as well.</p>
<p>ohh I forgot to say my interview is the 26th.</p>