PSA - focus on developing a comprehensive narrative

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about get a life and stop manufacturing everything. Your poor kid.

I think OP means draft some language on how activities are described so it can be recycled into various parts of the application, not change the activities themselves. Adults do this with their resumes all the time- I have one version that emphasizes technical skills and another more content heavy. Both describe the same positions- they just lead you to different conclusions about the type of job I want.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, OP. I appreciate your generosity with this advice.

[Anonymous]

And then there's my daughter. It's 2 weeks before EA apps are due and she's just now starting to ponder her essays. It will all be okay.

[Anonymous]

You can craft your own »personal narrative ». But how is that presented in the application? My kid is applying now. I guess she has a story about the activities she’s chosen and her choice of Major and/or current thoughts on career. But not every school's essays provide a vehicle for such a narrative. In response to what questions are you offering this narrative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can craft your own »personal narrative ». But how is that presented in the application? My kid is applying now. I guess she has a story about the activities she’s chosen and her choice of Major and/or current thoughts on career. But not every school's essays provide a vehicle for such a narrative. In response to what questions are you offering this narrative?

To the Common App essay?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think colleges want a common app essay that amounts to a brag sheet. Even if you make it part of a 650 word essay packaged as a « narrative »

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with this EXCEPT for a real hook, you need to start earlier. Beginning of sophomore year. Ideally aim for national recognition in something niche, or at least clear, serious, dedication to something clear and specific. I interviewed one private counselor in spring junior year and she basically told me it was too late to help my kid.

I’m the OP.

I let the hook naturally develop from middle school and for the first two years of high school. It was a natural evolution of a deep personal interest - that has both academic and non-academic angles, and not something contrived. And it was clear by junior year how that hook fit in to the larger story. But yes, if you were trying to manufacture it or your kid has no drive/ unique interests independently, you need to start earlier.

Sounds contrived to me. How many 13 year olds in middle school have deep personal interests with academic and non-academic angles?

Its not really. Started as a non-academic hobby in middle school, that evolved into an academic research project in HS....
Think outside the box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about get a life and stop manufacturing everything. Your poor kid.

I think OP means draft some language on how activities are described so it can be recycled into various parts of the application, not change the activities themselves. Adults do this with their resumes all the time- I have one version that emphasizes technical skills and another more content heavy. Both describe the same positions- they just lead you to different conclusions about the type of job I want.

Exactly. And btw think this is the premise of "Soundbite"....all the parts are there, you just need to connect them, find common themes etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can craft your own »personal narrative ». But how is that presented in the application? My kid is applying now. I guess she has a story about the activities she’s chosen and her choice of Major and/or current thoughts on career. But not every school's essays provide a vehicle for such a narrative. In response to what questions are you offering this narrative?

You offer pieces of it throughout.

So the 10 activities, all should be "sprinkled" with parts of the "narrative" - no absolutely do not cover the entire narrative in personal essay. Pick one part of it (e.g., if your narrative has 5 main parts, you focus only on 1 in personal essay). A supp covers another one. If there are 2 supps, then the could be picked up there. And if there are short answers, each is an opportunity to showcase one part of the entire narrative.

Activities and honors should showcase a few clearly - meaning you read them quickly and can glean the main narrative or profile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with this EXCEPT for a real hook, you need to start earlier. Beginning of sophomore year. Ideally aim for national recognition in something niche, or at least clear, serious, dedication to something clear and specific. I interviewed one private counselor in spring junior year and she basically told me it was too late to help my kid.

I’m the OP.

I let the hook naturally develop from middle school and for the first two years of high school. It was a natural evolution of a deep personal interest - that has both academic and non-academic angles, and not something contrived. And it was clear by junior year how that hook fit in to the larger story. But yes, if you were trying to manufacture it or your kid has no drive/ unique interests independently, you need to start earlier.

“Hook” does not mean what you think it means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with this EXCEPT for a real hook, you need to start earlier. Beginning of sophomore year. Ideally aim for national recognition in something niche, or at least clear, serious, dedication to something clear and specific. I interviewed one private counselor in spring junior year and she basically told me it was too late to help my kid.

I’m the OP.

I let the hook naturally develop from middle school and for the first two years of high school. It was a natural evolution of a deep personal interest - that has both academic and non-academic angles, and not something contrived. And it was clear by junior year how that hook fit in to the larger story. But yes, if you were trying to manufacture it or your kid has no drive/ unique interests independently, you need to start earlier.

“Hook” does not mean what you think it means.

I misspoke - its not hook in the ALDC context...its your narrative/profile/soundbite....its just a really focused personal passion, identity or strength.

[Anonymous]

I really do not understand what you mean by narrative profile in this context. And the more you explain, the fuzzier it is. I think I agree with the poster who said this is the new silly buzz word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with this EXCEPT for a real hook, you need to start earlier. Beginning of sophomore year. Ideally aim for national recognition in something niche, or at least clear, serious, dedication to something clear and specific. I interviewed one private counselor in spring junior year and she basically told me it was too late to help my kid.

I’m the OP.

I let the hook naturally develop from middle school and for the first two years of high school. It was a natural evolution of a deep personal interest - that has both academic and non-academic angles, and not something contrived. And it was clear by junior year how that hook fit in to the larger story. But yes, if you were trying to manufacture it or your kid has no drive/ unique interests independently, you need to start earlier.

Sounds contrived to me. How many 13 year olds in middle school have deep personal interests with academic and non-academic angles?

thousands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about get a life and stop manufacturing everything. Your poor kid.

I think OP means draft some language on how activities are described so it can be recycled into various parts of the application, not change the activities themselves. Adults do this with their resumes all the time- I have one version that emphasizes technical skills and another more content heavy. Both describe the same positions- they just lead you to different conclusions about the type of job I want.

Exactly. And btw think this is the premise of "Soundbite"....all the parts are there, you just need to connect them, find common themes etc.

Yep- OP lifted this from Sara H.

[Anonymous]

I've seen it. Go on reddit or read some apps on AdmitYogi.

Its basically just a "cohesive college application" where you have a "thesis" about your application. Not hard to do at all, just takes planning (not starting on Oct 14 for a Nov 1 submission).