<p>Title says it all. Harvard Crimson published a book of 50 successful essays - only problem is, most of the applicants have credentials like USAMO, published research, national recognition/awards, which makes me wonder whether those essays would have worked without the heavy ECs (or AA sometimes).</p>
<p>Can anyone point out some essays which swung an otherwise hopeless, outright reject case into an admit? People on these boards have said they know friends at Harvard who are non-URM, and somewhat lackluster in comparison to the average Harvard admit. Can you describe what those people are like, and what you think got them in?</p>
<p>On another note, a recent Harvard grad (who worked at the admissions office) told me that I should try to get at least 95-99 percentile on all SATs. There's a problem here, since my 750+ physics and IIc scores are only in the low to mid 80s. I know SATs aren't what get you in, but would those scores be considered acceptable or low for white/asian applicants?</p>
<p>With SAT II's you can't trust percentiles, just having 700+ keeps you in good shape and 750+ puts you in great shape so don't sweat it, and with the IIc you can't even hit the 95th percentile anyway, what was last year like 91st percentile or something like that, so really don't sweat it.</p>
<p>to answer the OP: i don't think those essays exist. any rational person recognizes that a couple hundred words that have been chiseled to perfection by the applicant and (if the applicant is so inclined) the applicant's team of advisors, no matter how beautiful or eloquent, can't woo the admissions committee away from a particularly "bad" candidate. sure, an essay illuminates extenuating circumstances or makes a bland but strong applicant seem spicy and enticing, but remember: </p>
<p>a monkey in a silk suit is still a monkey, and the same goes for "silk suit" college essays.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, when I said "hopeless, outright reject" I sort of meant bland, with mostly everything pretty good but not outstanding. (I've been really pessimisstic about my chances lately) </p>
<p>So to clarify, what I mean is 750+ SATs, high gpa with good classes, either music or sports but no national recognition, some community involvement, no published research, no RSI/TASP/USAMO - your typical lower-middle-ish Ivy applicant. Any sample essays by such people that really bumped them in(to Harvard) would be appreciated.</p>
<p>timepiece,
I have read one (but it is not mine to share) that I believe bumped the author into Yale. The young lady who wrote it was a wonderful student but without spectacular accomplishments. Her essay recounted an incident that clearly showed the reader something about herself and her insights, and that she and Yale would be an excellent match.</p>
<p>In reading though the admissions results for Harvard this spring, I can truly say that I am completely incapable of any accurate predictions for them. But it is obvious that something is going on beside just measuring stats, so I would never say 'don't bother'. Just be aware that applying to Harvard carries a low probability of success - especially RD.</p>
<p>WindCloudUltra is most definitely right. ohio_mom also has a point. I've had people PM me (one did today, in fact) asking for my essays. First, I don't have them on this computer. Second, even if I did, I would not share. It's about me. It's very personal. Even my parents do not know the contents of my essays.</p>
<p>I was not your "typical" - whatever you define "typical" to be - I'm saying "typical" from a CC standpoint - asian applicant. I did not win anything national/international. I won maybe a handful of in-school awards, but this was after all was said and done in the admissions process. I was in the top 10% of my class, but I wasn't exactly #1 or #2.. or 3... or 4. Nor did I have all top scores; in fact, only one of my top three SAT II scores was above 750. Our school had very few APs and I had a greater learning curve than most of my peers in my pre-med science classes.</p>
<p>All it boils down to is the fact that I applied and I happened to get in. I don't believe in luck, especially in Harvard admissions, since all 35 admissions officers debate about your case (and this means that it can get down to the nitty gritty) and the only way a student will be accepted is if 51% of the 35 admissions officers say yes to your application. </p>
<p>In the end, the only sure way you'll know that you'll be rejected is if you do not apply. In the end, the only sure way you'll know that you might be accepted is if you do apply and give it your best shot.</p>