<p>Does anyone have any insights on the optional personal statement? It says optional and clearly states its not another essay but should my DS write something? My inclination was no since I'm not sure what more he would write about. I'd appreciate some thoughts on this! Thanks!</p>
<p>Funny. I always have had a totally different take on a question like this, I know it says optional but if they thought enough to include it they must be looking for a little something extra than is included elsewhere.
Unless you have already covered it extensively. this might be a good place to address “fit”. Tell the reader that you know what makes Elon different and why you would be a good fit for Elon, and why Elon would be a good fit for you. In my opinion after you archive the minimum required GPA/SAT numbers nothing is more important to Elon that “fit”.
Good Luck</p>
<p>Thank you! I do understand your perspective cause everyone has always told me optional really does not mean optional! When I called admissions about this question, they told me absolutely it is optional and not necessary to fill out unless there was something very specific my DS needed to explain. So I was a bit confused at what to do. My son is an experiential learner so I think maybe he can talk about that briefly since that was so appealing to him about Elon and their “experiential focus” on learning.
Thank you again for your insight!</p>
<p>Definitely use the opportunity to let them get to know you (your son) better; it’ll help him stand out. You could have him use it to highlight a particular strength or passion he has, or something he has overcome and how it made him ready/eager for what Elon has to offer. My daughter used the space do describe her battle with food allergies and how she changed because of it. For her, this also helped explain her lower GPA during freshman and sophomore year before she was diagnosed. </p>
<p>Ditto what NCMentor said about “fit” at Elon. I think the narrative idea about how he values experiential learning is perfect. Elon really wants students who want to be there and who will fully embrace its vision.</p>
<p>P.S. I highly recommend Early Decision if this this is his “for sure” top choice. Acceptance rate is much higher, and you get first choice of classes and housing.</p>
<p>I will definitely encourage him to talk about experiential learning. All these essays from the schools is making him (and me!) a bit crazy but this “statement” paragraph shouldn’t be tough for him to talk about. Elon fits right into his learning style and he loved the school. ED would be nice but really not possible cause we will need to look at financial aid packages. But he will apply early action. Thank you for your advice.</p>
<p>Could someone eloborate on this concept of “fit”?</p>
<p>Every college/university is unique in some way. I was very surprised when we started our college searches how very different the different campuses were in terms of focus, culture, vibe, priorities, etc. There are tangible and intangible differences (so it’s very important to visit campus and spend time talking to students and professors). Each University has a vision, and beyond that, each has a “culture”. Some campuses are very “campy”, some serious and intellectual, some down-to earth, some very “hipster” or indie, some preppy, some very social (this may not be as true with the bigger universities, but the smaller you get, the more true it is) . . . . Our son is at Vandy, which really values its position as a top-tier school, and purposely fosters connections and networking as well as leaderhip and a success mindset (students are expected to live on campus all 4 years, Greek houses are non-residential, athletes live in the same dorms as everyone else, and freshman programs are designed (very well) to form relationships. Lots of attention is paid in the program to developing leadership skills and confidence). Students there are usually well dressed and extremely driven, and also pretty extroverted, as a rule, and social. Other top-tier schools we visited gave off distinctly different vibes – some a little more arrogant, some more bookish or “nerdy”. . . </p>
<p>Elon really focuses on engaged learning and global responsibility. They want their students to be able to use what they have learned and to become engaged citizens of the world. You can see this in their program and in their building projects. The program includes a 4-1-4 calendar which enable students to have one intense experience per year; most of these are hands on type classes, many off campus. All of the classes are geared toward experiential learning and are 4 credit classes (1 credit of which is alloted to application of the knowledge learned in the standard 3 credits). Their recent building projects include a “Global Village”, an inter-faith pavillion, and more on-campus housing (to keep students engaged). Students are expected to be engaged outside of the classroom as well; they even provide each student with an “activities” transcript, which tracks their service, study abroad and internship experiences.Their professors are hired to be teachers who will engage students, not just researchers as you find at many universities. This is Elon’s vision. It attracts students who like to be involved in a variety of things, who have a sense of wanting to “give back” to the world, and who enjoy working with people. </p>
<p>So in terms of “fit”, you need to take into consideration your son or daughter’s personality and the vision and culture of the school. If s/he is a quiet kid who is very focused on becoming say, an engineer, and that’s the only thing that matters, then Elon might not be a good “fit”. </p>
<p>There’s also the concept of academic fit. You want a school where you will fit in academically with your peers.</p>
<p>Our strategy was to research the vision of the schools on paper and narrow them down, and then visit to see how that vision plays out in real life, and what the “culture” of the school feels like. Both our son and daughter were thrilled with their choices.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you! That was terrific and very helpful. We visited Elon and loved what we heard and saw.</p>
<p>Supruwoman - You did a wonderful job explaining “fit”. That was a gift.</p>
<p>We visited Elon after my son had already applied. He had chosen not to do the personal statement. During the visit someone asked the admission counselor about whether or not they should do the personal statement, and the answer was “of course it’s optional, but you know what that means.” My son went back and added the personal statement to his app. I think they want you to do it.</p>
<p>We were at Davidson for a tour and info session. The admissions rep doing the presentation told us that optional and recommended really meant do it.</p>
<p>Optional = do it if this university is a top school for you… Elon truly cares about how much the students WANT to be there. Definitely do the optional part… a different take to this would be telling Elon what YOU could do for THEM. The whole application process is about yourself and how Elon can help you study and become a better person, but take this opportunity to tell the school how you can make a difference for them!
GOOD LUCK</p>