Selective schools without Supps

[Anonymous]

There is some bad advice happening on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

Most of these places don't even admit to major. Do the IECs who push this idea even talk to the AOs before they decide this is what they want? Or are they the IECs who don't have any friends in admissions because they have no real experience and don't try to create relationships?

Having been a T10 reader, sometimes this is done well and sometimes not.

The origin story essay works well for unique / niche majors and can make for a memorable candidate. Haven’t seen it executed well often for STEM but it does happen occasionally.

Writing about middle seats, cutting hair, rock bands - that’s not so memorable. It’s become a bit cliche.

And while AO don’t admit by major, we absolutely note it in our review (and highlight the ones we’ve been told to look for)! Major matters in committee even though no one is “admitted to a major”.

OMG, you were a temp in an admissions and think your experience is robust enough to tell people what to do?

No one who was a temp should think they know what's best.

Uh you do realize readers are highly trained (esp at top schools) and are very much part of the entire process, including behind closed doors conversations and committee decisions. But you do you and choose to follow the DCUM advice instead. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

Most of these places don't even admit to major. Do the IECs who push this idea even talk to the AOs before they decide this is what they want? Or are they the IECs who don't have any friends in admissions because they have no real experience and don't try to create relationships?

Having been a T10 reader, sometimes this is done well and sometimes not.

The origin story essay works well for unique / niche majors and can make for a memorable candidate. Haven’t seen it executed well often for STEM but it does happen occasionally.

Writing about middle seats, cutting hair, rock bands - that’s not so memorable. It’s become a bit cliche.

And while AO don’t admit by major, we absolutely note it in our review (and highlight the ones we’ve been told to look for)! Major matters in committee even though no one is “admitted to a major”.

Isn’t this basically college essay by/Sara H’s App nation strategy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s been increase of selective schools dropping/without supplements for next cycle:
WashU (new/drop)
UVA
Tulane (new/drop)
Middlebury
Others??

I’m now reading that the personal statement should be customized for each school.

Did anyone do that successfully this year for UVA or Middlebury or another?

Successful Midd applicant without customizing CA essay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

I really think it is a bad idea. if they wanted a why is essay, they would have asked for one.

Lots of creative ways to use the Addtl Info section….

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section

this is really good advice and is the approach my kid too. this was the one section that i basically put together for him. used bullet points, kept the one neutral, explained some early low grades, explained disability, explained class conflicts, added some info that didn't fit in activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

I really think it is a bad idea. if they wanted a why is essay, they would have asked for one.

Lots of creative ways to use the Addtl Info section….

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section

this is really good advice and is the approach my kid too. this was the one section that i basically put together for him. used bullet points, kept the one neutral, explained some early low grades, explained disability, explained class conflicts, added some info that didn't fit in activities.

Yes but it’s the opposite advice of ppl on here (and also popular former AO like Sara H)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just seems like another way to increase the number of applications and artificially reduce the acceptance rate.

Bingo. It's perfect for lazy students and lazy AOs who don't want to bother reading essays. What a joke.

Stupid essays that don't even know who actually wrote it lol what a joke.

I'm sorry your kid is unable to write a compelling essay on his/her own.

[Anonymous]

SAT writing section needs to be required. A proctored writing sample will rule out AI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAT writing section needs to be required. A proctored writing sample will rule out AI.

and consultant, hired writer, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

I really think it is a bad idea. if they wanted a why is essay, they would have asked for one.

Lots of creative ways to use the Addtl Info section….

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section

this is really good advice and is the approach my kid too. this was the one section that i basically put together for him. used bullet points, kept the one neutral, explained some early low grades, explained disability, explained class conflicts, added some info that didn't fit in activities.

Yes but it’s the opposite advice of ppl on here (and also popular former AO like Sara H)

I think Sara H's advice is whack. I followed the college counselor's advice and my own research and intuition. I'm a lawyer used to building persuasive arguments, I researched this heavily, and I went to HYP. But go ahead and follow Sara H as well as anon internet trolls and report back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just seems like another way to increase the number of applications and artificially reduce the acceptance rate.

Bingo. It's perfect for lazy students and lazy AOs who don't want to bother reading essays. What a joke.

Stupid essays that don't even know who actually wrote it lol what a joke.

I'm sorry your kid is unable to write a compelling essay on his/her own.

Actually, it’s the exact opposite. My kids are excellent writers, so I prefer a more proper and fair evaluation method—like the SAT style. Your kid is terrible at writing, which is why you prefer the current open cheating system; it allows your kid to take full advantage of every dishonest method available.

[Anonymous]

Advice from the internet (SH at AN, College Essay guy, other consultants, even here on DCUM) are not tailored specifically to you. The advice needs to be broad to reach their broad audience and then you take it and bend to your unique situation. So saying AN is whacked is unfounded. It’s solid advice. But may not be the right fit for you. Any essay topic is fine. There are no real rules in admissions. Except don’t raise any red flags with trauma dumps etc. Having every application look the same is nonsense. Supplements whether AI enhanced or not take time and will defer the overload of applicators a school. Keeping everyone from throwing their hat in the ring whether the essays are read or not helps the kids that really are interested in attending. Some school ls deeply care about the essays (VT and use proprietary AI to read them) and some don’t care. Using AI judiciously (not writing it) vs a consultant isn’t that different except the price tag. Going to straight stats and testing isn’t the full answer either. Many kids are paying lots of money to learn the test. Getting 1500s was not happening much pre covid outside the ivys. Even UVA in state was a benchmark of 1250. Is a kid that aces the sat with tons of money and prep that much more prepared than a kid with lesser scores but deep ECs and leadership? Not necessarily. There is so much more nuance than just get rid of supps and bring back testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

I really think it is a bad idea. if they wanted a why is essay, they would have asked for one.

Lots of creative ways to use the Addtl Info section….

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section

this is really good advice and is the approach my kid too. this was the one section that i basically put together for him. used bullet points, kept the one neutral, explained some early low grades, explained disability, explained class conflicts, added some info that didn't fit in activities.

Yes but it’s the opposite advice of ppl on here (and also popular former AO like Sara H)

What is Sara H’s advice for using the additional info section?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just seems like another way to increase the number of applications and artificially reduce the acceptance rate.

Bingo. It's perfect for lazy students and lazy AOs who don't want to bother reading essays. What a joke.

Stupid essays that don't even know who actually wrote it lol what a joke.

I'm sorry your kid is unable to write a compelling essay on his/her own.

Actually, it’s the exact opposite. My kids are excellent writers, so I prefer a more proper and fair evaluation method—like the SAT style. Your kid is terrible at writing, which is why you prefer the current open cheating system; it allows your kid to take full advantage of every dishonest method available.

Good to see that the every kid who is not like my kid is inferior represent on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don’t have a supplement, I would suggest a different type of personal essay that is more focused on your major’s origin story. You can still show your values, community orientation and other personal qualities but you need a different type of personal essay for your entire application to work. And in this case, you can easily add some language specific to the school in the last paragraph for two.

Alternatively, use the additional information section to create a short 100-150 word paragraph about the school. I think more professionals will be coming out with strategies on how to do this in the coming months so pay attention.

I really think it is a bad idea. if they wanted a why is essay, they would have asked for one.

Lots of creative ways to use the Addtl Info section….

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section

this is really good advice and is the approach my kid too. this was the one section that i basically put together for him. used bullet points, kept the one neutral, explained some early low grades, explained disability, explained class conflicts, added some info that didn't fit in activities.

Yes but it’s the opposite advice of ppl on here (and also popular former AO like Sara H)

What is Sara H’s advice for using the additional info section?

She doesn't want you to use it. But I've also consulted with former AOs and they do have plenty of use cases for it (similar to that link). A decade or go, no one used it. I think that's why she has that stance.
Ofc it should be used judiciously and not for random or unimportant things. No essays.