<p>Lets say I take this summer off and write a novel. Do you think that's a big enough deal to seriously boost my chances at schools like Yale and Columbia? I'm not applying this year by the way.</p>
<p>Also, would this book have to be published? Or do I get credit just for writing (trying).</p>
<p>Just a hypothetical, in case I can't find a jaw dropping job or internship.</p>
<p>hmmm...what do you mean by "seriously" boost your chances? If you werent a competitive applicant before, writing a book i dont think is going to get you in, unless of course it is published which will be nearly impossible to do at your age unless you are a savant...pretty much anybody could write a book, my sister could write a book, but writing a good book on the other hand and having it published is what might make that a bigger factor in your admissions</p>
<p>Assume that I would semi-competitive at the top schools. 3.8+.</p>
<p>By 'seriously' I mean to ask if it makes Yale anything other than a pipe dream. With a 2% acceptance rate I think even the most qualified applicants don't have a shot at it. So I'm asking if writing a book is enough to set me apart from all those others and give me a somewhat realistic chance at Yale and other top schools.</p>
<p>competitive applicants in addition to having a 3.8+ in college usually have great hs records, ec's, recs., etc...being competitive entails more than a good college gpa...again it depends...im not sure how much writing a book in and of itself would mean, but getting it published certainly would be a very very good way of distinguishing yourself</p>
<p>Not unless you quickly find a publisher, beat all records for getting a book to market and it sells big. In other words, no.</p>
<p>I published a book this October. It's out with a small Philadelphia publishing house, it's legit, and it's going to make me basically no money. It's a really cool accomplishment. However, I am applying for transfer to some academically rigorous schools. </p>
<p>So, I will focus on talking about my research work and attending conferences. Writing is a valuable part of my character but NOT a key to the next level.</p>
<p>I agree - unless published and making a big splash, unlikely to affect admission. It sounds like you have another year before transfer, so the question should be what your passions are and how to live them out in the meantime. Then you will have interesting things to write about in your essays that show your passion and if it doesn't work out that you got into your top choice school, you have still furthered your life in a positive way.</p>
<p>Thinking outside of the box is good, but make it relate perhaps to your future career or academic track. Are you an English major? It might be more reasonable to get one of your papers published or present it at a conference (it is easier to get into a conference than you might think!). Or start writing for your local newspaper - you will get more immediate results and expand your writing skills and job skills at the same time. If you are some other major, let us know - maybe we can brainstorm some unique project or angle to take in your ECs to compliment it.</p>
<p>If your passion is writing, by all means, write a book this summer. However, the writer's life is such that you shouldn't wait until summertime to be writing - you should write a bit all of the time. Get published in your local college or other literary magazines - that would only take a short story or a poem, not an entire book!</p>
<p>So let us know what your interests are so that we can help you brainstorm productive projects that will benefit you in both the short and long term!</p>
<p>Annika</p>
<p>No. Yes. No.</p>
<p>I say write the book. We already have plenty of normal transfers. It better be good though. Everyone always says that there is no textbook way to get in.</p>
<p>ECs are usually not at the top of the list for what actually matters in transfer admissions. Most deans will tell you that its GPA, ACT/SATs, recommendations, interviews, ECs....</p>
<p>You have no support for this, please stop posting this nonsense in every post cc</p>
<p>Support:</p>
<p>1) Collereboard.com ( under the admissions tab for each and every tier 1 college)
2) Dean Cummings from MIT
3) Sarah Harberson, associate dean of admissions from Penn </p>
<p>I'm not trying to deride you. Writing a book takes a lot of work and unless it is exceptional, which if you feel it will be by all means go for it, will not have a result that can be considered a tipping factor in the application process.</p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck with the admissions process.</p>
<p>thats complete hearsay and, quite frankly , nonsense. Just because two people you said you talked to does not make it true and flies in the face of almost everybodies admission experience on here. I have no idea what you are referring to on "collereboad.com", perhaps you could link me, but if the admissions page says that ec's are important, then well, ec's are important</p>
<p>Agreed. Nonsense. The only all-trumping EC is being the kid of the President (or something on that level).</p>
<p>Well, no. If you did research with a prof. at the school and happened to collaborate on something quite significant, then that can definitely help.
I guess I am explicating my thoughts in the wrong way. There are "tipping factors" and the ECs can very well be one of them, but they cannot help you much if you are not already a qualified candidate. I assumed this was the question being asked ; I apologize if I misinterpreted what anyone said</p>
<p>All pessimism aside, If you write is really wonderful book and it gets published you'll definitely make some kind of impact. This is America,where you can go from living in a beat up trailer to winning multiple Oscars and Grammy Awards in less than a year. </p>
<p>If your only fuel to writing a book is to be admitted to college, that's pretty shallow and easily seen through. Don't put your all into something to please the adcom. </p>
<p>There is way more to life than going to Yale. Actually, In the light of everything else people can achieve, attending any college, prestigious or not, pales in comparison.</p>