<ul>
<li>Only extracurricular i bothered to list was one year of debate (I wish I left it blank...it would look more like im making a statement)</li>
<li>no awards listed (although I've won a few)</li>
<li>Basically nothing outside of school listed</li>
<li>Personal tragedy in family</li>
</ul>
<p>I just decided, y'know, **** it. I am going to apply to great schools, and they will see if I am brilliant or not on a one by one basis.</p>
<p>I wrote the essay that college essay books will tell you NOT to write.</p>
<p>I do not tell a story. IT is discursive and rambling.</p>
<p>2140 superscored sat (never studied), 720 physics 700 Math II (didnt study for either)
3 in AP Euro, 5 in psych/ab calc/english 11...and taking 8 ap credits this year
my grades were pretty bad freshman and sophomore year because I hadnt switched yet to an alternative program that allows one more freedom to pursue their education...then I got straight A's junior year.</p>
<p>Wash U : waitlist
drew, reed, l&c : accepted
oberlin, cmc, pitzer: rejected
rice, jhu, hampshire: waiting
Bard: forgot to submit the app, lol.</p>
<p>I am talking about the common app essay. I am also pretty proud of my Bard (selective service) and Rice essays if you are interested. Ironically, the bard one didnt get submitted.</p>
<p>pm if interested</p>
<p>Colleges do not care whether you studied or not. You cannot say “Hey, I am actually cleverer than I appear, but did not study.” My point? Do not tell us that you did not study. I does not make us think; Wow you are so cool. Or wow, you are so clever.</p>
<p>Off that rant… I have not read any of the essay books, but the question is usually something along the lines of “Tell us about yourself.” or “Tell us something that we cannot find somewhere else.” If you ramble and did not tell them about yourself, that is not a good thing. You did not answer the question. </p>
<p>Honestly man, I apologise for this rather annoyed post, but what you have said made me feel like this. I am seeing a lot of excuses. I hope that you apps did not reflect that whenever you do not succeed it is someone elses fault, or bad luck.</p>
<p>IT’s cool bro, I have had the same thought. I think you are getting the wrong vibe though. The fact is, not everyone spends months in advance preparing to get into their dream college. There are lots of people like me who found out about CC late and really weren’t prepared for the whole college thing, cause they weren’t walked through it by families with high expectations. I’m not bragging about a 2140 … there are a lot better scores on this site.</p>
<p>Some people are interested in learning but disgusted by the backwards nature of academia. I am one of those people, so I told the colleges what I am about in my essay - with the idea: take me or leave me. I think if ya check out my essay you’ll get a different feel, and, even if not, lemme know what you think of it!</p>
<p>Haha I should probably retitle this the “reed essay” thread because apparently no other top colleges liked it. just got rejected by rice</p>
<p>I am probably a bit similar; I am international, and so had no idea about US college admissions - neither did parents or teachers - and how competitive they are. I also only found CC in late Feb; too late. </p>
<p>I would be interested to read it though.</p>
<p>Hit me up with a pm of your email. I don’t know how to attach docs here</p>
<p>Nice, I guess Bard did get my application. Got accepted the other day</p>