<p>I didn't put what I had been doing in my essay...due to word limits. However I included my community service work in the "Other Information" section of the common application, and talkied about it in my alumni interview. My interviewer took alot of notes...is that normal?</p>
<p>Yeah, it's normal. An alum who interviews can tell you for sure, but I believe they have to send a short (500 wds maybe?) summary of their impressions of you from the interview, so it's normal that they take down notes -- to your benefit, really, as they'll remember to include details they might forget otherwise.</p>
<p>"the poor woman in question isnt from the US (not sure how RBAY can say they have similar backgrounds) but from a country that is much more civil in their discourse"</p>
<p>Israel is a country that is much more civil in their discourse? LOL.</p>
<p>I guess I was referring to a different person in the previous post, but some of the argument still holds since I'm Jewish so I guess we do have a somewhat similar background. </p>
<p>Man, lol, even when I'm wrong I somehow wind up being right anyway, lol. I love being me.</p>
<p>"Israel is a country that is much more civil in their discourse?"</p>
<p>I have no idea what being Jewish or Israel has to do with anything at hand. The woman I'm referring to is Asian.</p>
<p>When you end up being wrong, youre still wrong. :)</p>
<p>Mlevine, I think it's better to "show, don't tell" as far as the essay goes. For instance, don't say you have decided to be helpful. Describe a situation where you were helpful. Make it a real vignette with setting and perhaps dialog. It's like the difference between telling someone that you're funny, and actually saying something funny. It's better to show the situation, and let the reader come to their own conclusion. My 2 cents.</p>
<p>I did mention in my essay how later I helped a friend with nearly identical problems and that she is not a good student, a varsity athlete, and a great friend (my girlfriend). Do you think that is good?</p>
<p>Just so you don't think I attract weirdos, both of these girls are popular and preppy, not depressed social outcasts.</p>
<p>
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Do you think that is good?
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<p>Well, it depends how you wrote it. If it doesn't read like a teenage drama, it could be a good essay.</p>
<p>Lolabelle, could you read some of my essays? I'd like to know what other people think...I've had alot of college students/high school students read them, as well as multiple English teachers.</p>
<p>To be honest, it is too late to change your essays and just hope that what you wrote is properly interpreted by the admissions committee. I wrote one of my essays on paintball, much to my mother's dissaproval. She thought it would be interpreted the wrong way, however, I have done a lot in creating a paintball team and getting sponsorships and so on. Hopefully they will look at my essay for what I did instead of being ignorant like some people are towards sports which are considered violent. The irony of it is that Im somewhat of a pacifist.</p>
<p>MLevine: I could, if you want me to, but it sounds like you've had a lot of people already look at them! It sounds like you're worrying for no reason all of a sudden!</p>
<p>And Shananigans: I have a friend who wrote his essay about opening a can of soup. He got in to Tufts and everywhere else he applied. :-) If you had a creative take on it, it could be real great and very unique!</p>
<p>The main problem that my mother had with my essay was that it was about paintball; a sport which happens to be somewhat violent in nature. She thought that people would think that I was a violent person because I played paintball, not that you can legitamately make that correlation or anything.</p>
<p>"She thought that people would think that I was a violent person because I played paintball"</p>
<p>Before your mother becomes apoplectic, inform her Tufts has been known to admit a football player from time to time. Violent enough? ;)</p>
<p>The admissions website has a lot of VERY impressive essays! You should all check them out.</p>
<p>Thanks for telling us about that. You are right. There are ten sample admissions essays and they are amazing. </p>
<p>Skiitifucan - Tufts football isn't usually too violent. ;-)</p>
<p>MLevine - Please let us know how you do. Good luck!</p>