<p>Based on what I saw on the decisions thread, it seems like whether you get in or not is determined if you fit their image of a CMU student. I'm applying to their engineering and science schools. What exactly would they look for in a student that fits in their university?</p>
<p>Things about me</p>
<ul>
<li>Asian</li>
<li>Musical</li>
<li>I like mindlessly building things</li>
<li>I like numbers (even though Pre-Calc was a B+)</li>
<li>I have my personal quirks that separate me from the crowd(in a good way IMO)</li>
</ul>
<p>My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself on the essays. It is their only way to get to know your personality. </p>
<p>But don’t try to fabricate an image you think they will “like”.
This is the hardest thing. I struggled with it myself, but when I committed to it, the results spoke for themselves.</p>
<p>For example, in my cmu essay, I was witty and laid back, because that’s who I am. It really showed them how much I belonged in pittsburgh. (I can PM it to you as long as you promise not to plagiarize). </p>
<p>In my Uchicago one, again, I was myself, and I got in.</p>
<p>Cornell, I was a robot that wrote the most boring essay EVER. and, needless to say, DECLINED.</p>
<p>So my biggest piece of advise is to really be yourself in your essays. Don’t tell them who you are, SHOW them.</p>
<p>A lot of people say to start early, but I’ve always worked better under a deadline, so I did all of them the night before they were do. And my results were pretttty good. </p>