Can people just forego the insults? This is a great thread but for the few nasty jabs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An admissions officer at Wesleyan said in a virtual session “no one has ever gotten in because of their essay and no one has gotten rejected just because of their essay.”

That made me feel better when thinking about my kid’s essays.

I do not believe that for one hot second. The essays matter enormously. If they didn’t matter, no admissions would require them because they’re such a bore to read. And I’ve read articles about truly brilliant essays that got kids accepted to big, big reach schools.

Your hunch does NOT match all of the experts I have read.

Sorry if you got duped into paying some essay consultant!

No, sweetie, my kids aren’t there yet.

Who are the “experts” you’ve read? I think your just trying to make yourself feel better because your kid wrote a crappy essay.

Essays matter. I remember the Tufts admissions person telling a story about a “great kid, a great application” and then they read his essay that went on and on about how much the applicant wanted to go to Cornell. And how that made Tufts move this kid from “from the yes pile to the no pile.” She stressed how critical it was to read your essays carefully and proof everything before you hit “send.”

Anonymous wrote:My kid’s essay was all him and no one but him. Luckily, he’s a good writer and a funny kid. He somehow wove being just a nice guy into this funny, insightful piece. No big life altering lesson or claims of suffering or hardship.

He hasn’t had one rejection yet.

+1. My Goddaughter’s essay was wonderful, too. All about being raised by two psychologists. Funny and so true to her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An admissions officer at Wesleyan said in a virtual session “no one has ever gotten in because of their essay and no one has gotten rejected just because of their essay.”

That made me feel better when thinking about my kid’s essays.

I do not believe that for one hot second. The essays matter enormously. If they didn’t matter, no admissions would require them because they’re such a bore to read. And I’ve read articles about truly brilliant essays that got kids accepted to big, big reach schools.

Your hunch does NOT match all of the experts I have read.

Sorry if you got duped into paying some essay consultant!

Anonymous wrote:My kid copied and pasted the wrong essay and named the wrong school in the supplemental and still got in.

Funny! Thanks for sharing .

I read essays for admission to grad school, and mistakes like this are more common than you might imagine!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked to see the essay after applications were done.

Why?

You aren’t interested in seeing how your kid describes themself for college admissions? The essay was cute and sweet and interesting (to me at least).

Actually now that I think about it I think I read it for typos right before it was submitted.

Right? Some of these posters floor me. They have so little interest in their children as individuals. I wonder if they had them just to check a box.

“Why” poster, are you a dad?

This post was fine until the casual sexism. FWIW I am the poster you responded to (who read my kid’s essay) and I am a dad.

The poster did not assume your gender, they asked. Perhaps you are uncomfortable, because you fit the stereotype of an uninvolved father?

(Not even understanding why someone would want to read their child’s essay?????)

Anonymous wrote:My sister didn’t ask to see her son’s essay before he sent it. He showed it to her AFTER it was submitted. First sentence? “Skiing is my life.”

We’ll never know if that’s the reason he got rejected to all but his safety school. Oh well. (-:

Not sure why that opening would portend a damming essay?

My kid’s essay was all him and no one but him. Luckily, he’s a good writer and a funny kid. He somehow wove being just a nice guy into this funny, insightful piece. No big life altering lesson or claims of suffering or hardship.

He hasn’t had one rejection yet.

Anonymous wrote:An admissions officer at Wesleyan said in a virtual session “no one has ever gotten in because of their essay and no one has gotten rejected just because of their essay.”

That made me feel better when thinking about my kid’s essays.

I do not believe that for one hot second. The essays matter enormously. If they didn’t matter, no admissions would require them because they’re such a bore to read. And I’ve read articles about truly brilliant essays that got kids accepted to big, big reach schools.

Anonymous wrote:My kid copied and pasted the wrong essay and named the wrong school in the supplemental and still got in.

That is so awesome! Lol.

My kid copied and pasted the wrong essay and named the wrong school in the supplemental and still got in.

It sounds like his essay accurately reflects who he is at this moment in time, and aligns with his academic record/stats. So I wouldn’t worry. If it was way out of synch with all other indicia it might drag him down, but that’s not the case here. Your kid sounds great and is on a good path. All will be well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked to see the essay after applications were done.

Why?

You aren’t interested in seeing how your kid describes themself for college admissions? The essay was cute and sweet and interesting (to me at least).

Actually now that I think about it I think I read it for typos right before it was submitted.

Right? Some of these posters floor me. They have so little interest in their children as individuals. I wonder if they had them just to check a box.

“Why” poster, are you a dad?

This post was fine until the casual sexism. FWIW I am the poster you responded to (who read my kid’s essay) and I am a dad.

My sister didn’t ask to see her son’s essay before he sent it. He showed it to her AFTER it was submitted. First sentence? “Skiing is my life.”

We’ll never know if that’s the reason he got rejected to all but his safety school. Oh well. (-: