<p>Does anyone know how many of these applications were sent out? I saw a post by Byerly discussing a specific letter, however, I'm unsure if the application was a part of that or not...</p>
<p>"ok so how would I present my sob-story in my essay?"</p>
<p>It's no longer true that adcoms are seeing out sob stories of any kind. This possibly was true about 15 years ago, but times have changed.</p>
<p>IMO colleges (and scholarship committees for that matter) found that often students whose main claim to fame was having a tragic story were not able to succeed in college. If all a student has going for them is a background that brings tears to other peoples' eyes, they may be good in the victim role, but not good at actually meeting challenges.</p>
<p>As an example, I was on a scholarship committee about 15 years ago in which our winner was a girl whose dad had stabbed her mom to death in front of her. The story was horrible. However, except for having had a horrendous tragedy, there was nothing remarkable about the young woman. Her grades were B-, her personality passive, ECs (including a job) virtually nonexistant.</p>
<p>She went to college, and ran into grade problem. She also got a guaranteed internships with her scholarship. She was the worst intern because she barely did her work, was passive aggressive and did not take any suggestions, support or advice.</p>
<p>Due to her background, one can understand why she acted in such ways, including why she struggled in school. Growing up in a violent household and seeing one's parent murdered certainly would take a toll on anyone.</p>
<p>What she most needed, though, was some kind of therapy or other support, but she was not a good candidate for a merit scholarship or internship or even for succeeding in college until she got some major therapeutic help. Incidentally, the company where she worked (which had sponsored the scholarship) offered to get her counseling, but she refused, saying she was fine.</p>
<p>Anyway, colleges, scholarship committees in general are no longer looking for sob stories. They are looking for essays and other information indicating that the person can rise far above challenges, is a self starter and is a leader who can implement projects and solve problems.</p>
<p>interesting!</p>
<p>Why did you bring back a 5 month old thread?</p>
<p>because it's "interesting"... :)</p>
<p>VERY interesting and hope giving!</p>
<p>These people will be in:</p>
<p>Candilize
The mexican American guy with a near perfect score
DHA
me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sigh) :(</p>
<p>oh wait and amnesia!</p>
<p>Who else that is a URM is applying?</p>
<p>Son submitted his ap two weeks ago and had is interview last week. His stats were posted in an earlier email. I don't think a sob story or hook will get you in, if you have the grades/scores/EC and submit well written essay/application you will have the same chance as anyone else. Of course just like they recruit athletes, musicians, legacies and yes some URM, etc. you get a some small percentage advantage when you are compared to a similar candidate that does not have that trait. No different from any business that is looking to shape their company in a fashion they think will make their organization better.
Good luck to everyone and remember, Harvard is only one school (great no doubt) but only ONE!!!!</p>
<p>Ack! My essays were about my family's background (I'm an immigrant - life was definitely not easy in the slightest, and I only got through it because my parents were such amazing people) :(</p>
<p>I tried to emphasize how it all motivated me and how I felt about the whole thing (I even cried as I was writing these essays - you can't imagine how much of an ass I was to my parents when I was younger, and they really didn't deserve it) but...
Did I just kill my chances? :(</p>
<p>And does "Chinese Immigrant" qualify as a URM? :(</p>
<p>apfreak, do you mean me?</p>
<p>im the only mexican american around here... so...?</p>
<p>No...there was another mexican american guy with like a 2350 and 800,790, 800 SATIIs! He is first in his class. He is so in! How many Puerto Ricans are applying? What is your essay about?</p>
<p>
[quote]
No...there was another mexican american guy with like a 2350 and 800,790, 800 SATIIs! He is first in his class. He is so in! How many Puerto Ricans are applying? What is your essay about?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If you're talking about me, then don't count me in, because I think I'm going Princeton ED (not completely sure yet, the binding part really turns me off).</p>
<p>you can't really go wrong with hyp... so... princeton is good. :p</p>
<p>Well you need to decide soon! :).....yesssss.....that's right...go to Princeton.....raise our chances of acceptance at Harvard..yesss! :) :)</p>
<p>Seriously, unless you have not been active in your community or have skimpy ECs you could really get into any school here in the US like HYP!</p>
<p>I wouldn't say that anyone is "in" based on a collection of high test scores and URM status. As NSM has said time and time again, many applicants with high scores and URM status get rejected every year while lower scoring URM's (who have more than just test scores) have been accepted.</p>
<p>apfreak seems to think he's in based on his race. :p</p>
<p>I wouldn't get overly cocky or confident.</p>
<p>Yes!!!!!!!!! In for lower test scores and in depth commitment and leadership amid community! YES!!!!!!!! YES!!!!! :) :p</p>
<p>At least you don't lack enthusiasm, apfreak :). I would just like to say that while Harvard is my dream school also, I am aware of the fact that acceptance to such an amazing school should be seen as a huge honor; I am, like NSM said "falling in love with my safety school". :)</p>
<p>its DHA_06 Im bak! LOL. Less type A and more humble this time. But still, APfreak, dude u have an amazing chance. For me I have the reverse situation, good test scores, not so perfect grades. Lots of APs and incredible ECs. I wish the best for u dude. heres hoping</p>
<p>hey those stats are not mine....but I do have good grades</p>