<p>I am now beginning my 2nd application round, after the result of last year (2 rejections, 3 waitlists, and 1 acceptance without enough financial aid) was not what I expected. Here is some advice.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Recommendations are VERY important. Make sure you get to know the teachers who will be writing them for you. My geometry teacher this year didn’t know me very well, but I got in contact with her and set up a time to meet, and I told her about myself, my interests, etc. so that she could get to know me and be better equipped to write a recommendation. I meet with my lit teacher every week to go over poems I write (I am preparing a portfolio to send with my application) and through that, she has gotten to know me very well. I’m not saying that you should kiss up to your teachers, but you have to make sure that they notice you.</p></li>
<li><p>Your essays should reflect YOU, not what the schools want. Looking back on my essays from last year, they were very cold and robotic, if a piece of writing can be robotic. I was spitting out words that I thought schools like Deerfield would want, and it didn’t sound like me. This year, I’m writing a really risky essay for Andover (I’m not going to say the topic, because it would give me away as an applicant) that could be great if I play my cards right, and for Deerfield, I’m writing about how my experience at sleepaway camp began this journey of transformation that I am going through right now (finding new, true friends, focusing on the things I love, and overall working to become a much happier, healthier individual.)</p></li>
<li><p>I know you’ve probably heard this a lot, but interviews matter. A lot. So make yours count. My interview for Andover was amazing - my interviewer was a dancer, so I was able to speak passionately and animatedly about how dance has changed my life, and how I feel alive and electric and beautiful whenever I go onstage. I didn’t hold back, at all. I also talked a lot about writing, and how it has affected my view on people, the world around me, and even myself. I spoke about my Ecuadorian heritage, and how I felt this past summer in Ecuador, surrounded by my family and my culture. I wasn’t a robot, spitting out information about how I am on Student Council and Debate team (I am actually a member of both of those, so don’t worry, I’m not disrespecting.) Instead, I showed my true character, and spoke truly and passionately about the things I love.</p></li>
<li><p>Study for the SSATs. I know everybody says they don’t matter, and that is true, to an extent. They are probably the least important part of the application. However, they are also one of the few parts you have control over. Last year, I scored a 92%, which, while not a perfect score, put me in the range of competitive applicants. Although there are many people who get accepted with SSAT scores anywhere in the range of 60%-99%, it is definitely work it to study and try to score as high as you can. If you do horribly, study more and try again.</p></li>
<li><p>Lastly, stay true to yourself. I have spoken about this before, and I will continue to reiterate. Schools don’t want robots. They want real, living, breathing, human beings who are intelligent and passionate and have something to contribute to the school. If you love debating, that’s great! Join the team, go to competitions, and speak about it in interviews. If you don’t, don’t join the debate team just to have an impressive list of extra-curriculars. Do what you love to do, and you will be happy no matter where you end up.</p></li>
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<p>That’s my spiel. If you have any questions about ANYTHING, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>PS: Sorry if there are tons of spelling/grammar/punctuation errors. This post was written hastily, and I’m about to head off to dance, so there’s no time to edit. Sorry! (:</p>