<p>So if you've previously transferred to a competitive university, I've got a question for you.</p>
<p>I've finished my application for WashU. I've done everything right, to my knowledge. The application itself, recommendations, test scores, and activities sheet...it's all done. I've also completed both required essays: the typical essay that is to explain why your old school isn't right and why that specific school is right for you, and the one that briefly elaborates on an extracurricular activity. </p>
<p>Now, the question. How many of you submitted an extra essay, in addition to what was required? I'm wondering if it's helpful or not...and if you did submit it, what did it talk about?</p>
<p>I appended a small paragraph that explained my poor performance in high school. I accepted full responsibility (ie., I didn't blame it on an illness and so forth), which I think was perceived as an honorable and intellectually mature act. It definitely strengthened my application, as if the 800 verbal score didn't signal enough that I was finished with screwing around.</p>
<p>I didn't submit an extra essay, but I did submit an extra recommendation. Pretty much, I couldn't decide which of the ec's to name my favorite, so I chose one and then added the rec for the other--the mother of a child I tutored all year. I'd say go for the extra bit if you have something that wasn't said elsewhere, but it won't hurt you to be concise and just cover what they ask for, either. </p>
<p>Let me know if I can help with anything else. Good Luck.</p>
<p>
[quote]
as if the 800 verbal score didn't signal enough that I was finished with screwing around.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Lol. Alright, good. I did the same nspeds, but with respect to several other issues. My high school performance wasn't god-awful (but not great either) so I just figured they can see the improvement themselves and don't need me to spell it out for them.</p>
<p>This is the most important aspect of college admissions: don't ever think that the admissions officer will spot the trend, or read your mind. It is your duty to explain fully how YOU are thinking and why. The adcom is not your enemy, and they genuinely want to understand a student's situation. You don't want to leave them wondering, because if they don't have the info, they will assume the worst and reject.</p>
<p>So do you think a 3.3 UW requires any explanation? I was top 15%. I see your point, but don't think an explanation is really merited for what most universities would fiind commendable. For CC standards, it's crap, but was enough to get me a spot at UT. </p>
<p>All I know is that an explanation wouldn't hurt, and with the schools to which you are applying, you need to remove any possible red flag, even if YOU think it might not be one.</p>
<p>imran: I am not someone you want to emulate if you earnestly hope to gain admission to these schools. If you are like me in every way, it will be quite the miracle if either of us is accepted. ;)</p>
<p>for Cornell, i took pretty much every question, no matter how big or small, and turned it into my own little essay. I used every part to tell a different part about me and reading the application as a whole gave them the 'big picture' about me. </p>
<p>i had a nice dip in my HS grades during 10th grade, and I explained this. I just said i didn't care much, I was playing Tier I and varsity ice hockey and they were my life, not school. By 11th grade, I quit varsity and by 12th I hung up the skates from competitive hockey for good ... and you could see this with my grades since. I just told them this is what i chose to do and it was fun for a time, but i've grown up and I have my priorities elsewheres.</p>
<p>Wow Brand, my similar GPA (around 3.1-3.2 UW, I can't remember at this point), put me in the bottom third of my high school class, and maybe even bottom 20% , but I can't remember the exact number. Will my rank screw me over? I went to an extremely competitive public school where a third of the class usually goes to UCB, UCLA, and UCSD, and if you throw in UCD and UCI, you've probably got half the class.</p>