<p>I wrote my essays in a couple of hours five days before the deadline and re-read them once, a day before submitting them. Since I didn’t proofread them more than once, reading over them again last week I noticed a word or two missing (not severe enough to make it hard to read or distort the meaning) but I believe the fact that my essays were more or less ‘straight out of the box’ made them more authentic and less ‘polished’, which is what the adcoms want - they’re not looking for a literary or technical masterpiece, they want to know YOU as a person. In fact I quite like my essays and I think they were the saving grace of an otherwise mediocre application (that, and my sizable international wallet, as Tizil said). Don’t mean to sound immodest, but I think I am a pretty good writer and so got away with putting very little effort into my essays. The best bet for the rest of you is probably to start early, write multiple drafts, revise constantly and get others’ opinions (like your English teachers’). Don’t overdo it though.</p>
<p>one quick question? lol, i have NO idea how to START the essay? i mean, i know what to write the later, but the starting? suggestions? [:P]</p>
<p>Read some good essays that may help,there are one or two essays circulating somwhere on this forum written by Tiziland karan, I can PM you mine if u want though its not that great.</p>
<p>Read the book "50 Succesful Harvard Application Essays. "</p>
<p>And congratulations everyone else!</p>
<p>Essay writing takes time. There’s no way round that. Before some general tips, I’ll tell you my experience. I started on 27th September. My first attempt, which was about moving, was an emotion filled and teary story where I tried to portray my fortitude of mind. It took me about two weeks to write. My counselor, though she didn’t say it outright, didn’t really like it. In fact, I was so satisfied, that I had uploaded it to the Common App. One day, I came back home and deleted that essay, from the CA and my mac. I had this really weird idea which I wanted to work on. This new essay was about me writing a book and my experiences while doing so, in the form of snippets of my memory. The first rough draft was complete in 1 day. However, polishing that essay took around 2 weeks.</p>
<p>What you can take from my story is that writing an emotional essay (thereby, ‘showing’ your personality in the essay) doesn’t guarantee you to have the best essay. Two, never hesitate to change. Even if you have the slightest doubt of your essay, then change what you don’t like about it! Thirdly, don’t be afraid to be unconventional. People say don’t use quotations, don’t do this, don’t do that. I’m here to tell you, that if you feel that what you’re doing is correct, then go ahead with it. Now, if you’ve seen my essay, you know what I’m talking about.</p>
<p>Now, the only general tip I have for everyone. It is cliched, but it is essential that you understand the essence of this. Never say something outright. Imply it. Now this has to be taken in context. If you see my essay, I’ve said most of the things outright. That’s because I don’t really care about those things. I’m using these direct sentences to imply something else. I hope I’m making sense here. For me, a masterpiece is one that lets me think on my own, lets me infer. Now, keep in mind that there is a fine line between implication and cryptic nature. Adcoms will have only so much time to read your essay. So you should make it ‘smart’, i.e. the person reading it should be able to extrapolate easily after reading it, get some insight. This is my own personal opinion.</p>
<p>The starting line is the most important line. It should, in itself symbolize the whole essay. First impressions are last impressions. Again, never be afraid to deviate from the norm. If you look at my essay, I don’t have a starting line. I have a starting thought. For me, this thought contains the entire essence of my essay.</p>
<p>Oh, one last thing. Be specific. Let’s think about it in terms of an analogy. If you went on a vacation, and had to write an essay about it for me to read, I wouldn’t want to know how many beaches and theme parks you frequented throughout the week of your trip. What will impress me is if you can relate how one specific experience/thought/action/smell/diversion/color/behavior at a specific time in a specific place on a particular date that made you stop, and forced you to pay attention. I hope you do realize where I’m going with this. When you talk about this, it shows the very core of your personality. It shows what makes you tick, it shows what makes you pay attention. Your outlook towards life.</p>
<p>Hope this helps '17ers :)</p>
<p>Here’s mine: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13689006-post1780.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13689006-post1780.html</a></p>
<p>I’ve consolidated some advice from other threads I’ve posted on:</p>
<p>
Source:<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1305172-please-help-me-brainstorm-ideas-essay-prompt.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1305172-please-help-me-brainstorm-ideas-essay-prompt.html</a></p>
<p>
source:<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1304370-what-intrigues-you.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1304370-what-intrigues-you.html</a>
source: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1303069-quirky-anecdote-okay-top-notch-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1303069-quirky-anecdote-okay-top-notch-schools.html</a>
Source: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1304221-uc-personal-statement-2-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1304221-uc-personal-statement-2-a.html</a>
Source: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1297992-does-ones-choice-diction-matter-college-essay.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1297992-does-ones-choice-diction-matter-college-essay.html</a></p>
<p>Holy crap, you published a book and met Abdul Kalam? The Ivies are going to fawn over you.</p>
<p>Edit: do you mind private messaging me the details of this book?</p>
<p>I doubt that is what the Ivies are looking for Ascaris.</p>
<p>Clearly, MIT and Caltech weren’t looking for that 
[Saying this reminds me of your post, "90% of applicants won’t care about rejections a month from now] - Yes, I’m stalking you 
On a more realistic note, MIT didn’t see that essay, because it had a different application. Caltech did though.</p>
<p>Sure, I’ll PM you, just keep my identity a secret, kay? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>MIT and caltech are schools which value achievements in science/technology over published works. Let’s face it, nerds don’t write many books. However, being the bastions of holistic admissions that they are, the Ivies probably look more favorably upon published authors.</p>
<p>Haha I’d love to take your post as a final word, but I can only hope and wait 5 more days. Then, I’ll tell you my opinion :)</p>
<p>Hey everyone!
Congratulations for the wonderful acceptances!
i got into NYU and Boston University for Econ. but got rejected at UChicago 
Finally done with the boards! I am soo glad they are over!</p>
<p>And yeah Tizil should be given an award for being the most helpful person here!;P</p>
<p>Haha Brownie, stay here a few days and you’ll see how helpful others are here. I almost never reply :p</p>
<p>Everyone deserves their share of credit :)</p>
<p>Just because I have a lot of time, which translates into a lot of posts, means that my advice is more visible. It does not guarantee that it is the best advice. (Think Normal Distribution curves )</p>
<p>That’s what makes this community amazing - us :D</p>
<p>[Oxford</a> University opens gate to CBSE, ISC students - The Times of India](<a href=“http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/Oxford-University-opens-gate-to-CBSE-ISC-students/articleshow/12397582.cms]Oxford”>Oxford University opens gate to CBSE, ISC students - Times of India)</p>
<p>Interesting article. It does sound like they expect you to wait for the results before applying or are they planning conditional admits?</p>
<p>All CBSE stuudens>>>>(Bio Stream)- I know how relieved you guys must be after completing the boards.For those who already got accepted you have 4 months of time to do whatever you want.Now is the time to do things as per your passion!!! Enjoy guys & gals</p>
<p>@Texaspg- This is from 2013 academic year-</p>
<p>“Under the new rule, the university will now make conditional offers of entrance to those students who acquire more than 90 percent in the CBSE and ISC exams. An Indian aspirant who opts for the science course in Oxford at the undergraduate level may also need to take the Indian IIT entrance examination.”</p>
<p>Another interesting twist in the admission procedure!!!</p>
<p>Texaspg - Interesting article!
Manrosh - Sciencees with economics are also done with the boards Sciencees with Computers will finish on the 26th. I doubt the next month is going to be fun for them - AIPMT, AIEEE, JEE, etc :p</p>
<p>Canhazphysics, Ascaris and Tizil, thank you for some great advice 
the pressure of the admissions process is now finally getting to me :p</p>
<p>Let’s get this thread to</p>
<p>1000 posts :D</p>