<p>Is it possible for someone completely plain-Jane to make it in just on the whim of a brilliant essay?</p>
<p>If you’re so “plain”, then what makes you think you’re good enough of a writer to write an awesome essay??</p>
<p>You want to know why? Because on average, URM’s have lower stats. Not saying that all URM’s have low stats, but on average, they do.</p>
<p>Because I’ve done it before…and it makes me stand out.</p>
<p>Is this for real:
[This</a> is So Friggin Illegal: My Harvard Application Essay](<a href=“http://sofrigginillegal.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-harvard-application-essay.html]This”>This is So Friggin Illegal: My Harvard Application Essay)</p>
<p>Sure, if all the people who aren’t plain-Janes write terrible essays. In other words, if you’re actually not qualified, then no.</p>
<p>What do you mean, “not qualified”?
All that I am asking is could the essay be considered one’s determining factor of getting in?
I basically have all the stats I need to be considered a good app., well rounded-student, volunteers, good test scores, etc. etc…but because I am a white female and ergo “boring” in their eyes…do you think If I write an incredible admissions essay that I would be able to get in? I already know the answer, but am basically just looking for outside reassurance…please don’t mock me.</p>
<p>Not qualified as in H almost never accepts students with those stats. I’m in no way implying that you’re not qualified, for the record. I’m not mocking you, really.</p>
<p>I’m just saying: If your stats are in the middle 50-percent, then your essay needs to be really good (as do your recs). Or not. It just depends on how much they want you based on your academic and EC profiles.</p>
<p>Most adcoms (check PR’s “Essays that Worked” or something for more quotes) say that essays are important and can help push someone over the edge. Very rarely are they the determining factor.</p>
<p>sball, i’m pretty sure he was being sarcastic, that wasn’t the essay he wrote, if he wrote one at all, he was just trying to mess with the vulnerable ivy league wannabes- not that you are just saying.</p>
<p>Also, he states that he aced two sections of the SAT. <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>A friend of mine scored around 1850 in the SAT , and 790 in mathI+II and chem and still got in…</p>
<p>VickySky, an “above average” SAT score is a 1600+. I am almost positive that every single URM that got into Harvard had above average SATs. Most probably had 2000+. Some, 2200. Being a URM is a hook, but you still have to be an excellent student, so don’t imply that you don’t.</p>
<p>I had a one B+ (but was ranked 2nd in graduating class) and got a 2370 on the SAT I. I had one mid-700 for SAT IIs though. I guess I am not below average, but I am not perfect. I don’t think stats don’t matter as much as people think.</p>
<p>my son had a 2290 SAT - 770,780,79,800 SAT II - 34 ACT - 12 AP classes and earned “5” on ALL. Guess what? he’s also a urm. So vicky, see not all urm’s are below average. I’d be careful to not speculate on college admissions. Do your best and see if the adcoms like what you have to offer the school.</p>