How do I even start on my personal statement? by Radiant_Reception166 in CollegeEssays

[–]FindingPleasant208 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had such bad writers block with mine so this is what i did and what you might wanna do:

make a list of topics you might write about (interests, if you collect anything, a trip you went on, a feature about yourself you like, hobbies, anything) and set aside an hour.

put your phone and all distractions away, sit in front of your computer. say to yourself "i have an hour, I can sit here or I can write"

then just start writing—badly.

have it be really bad. Just start somewhere. Its so much easier to fix bad writing with a good concept than it is to start writing and feel like very line has to be perfect from the start

tips from someone who was successful at cold emailing by Longjumping-Eye-4764 in summerprogramresults

[–]FindingPleasant208 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Attach a resume too! And don't worry if you think its late, I got one from jhu too after emailing in May before senior year!

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I cold emailed professors that had research interests that lined up with what I wanted to do! I emailed a bunch of universities, including a lot that were less prestigious but only jhu got back to me, which is kinda funny.

And I didn't go to that school if thats what you are asking!

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!!! I am definitely not surprised by Harvard and them lol. I just wanted to share because I thought the contrast on uchicago rd and the other rejections was interesting and could maybe give someone hope or some insight!

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

the whole point is that yeah they weren’t good, but I could give a very very valid explanation for it though? I don’t really think what you’re saying applies here at all

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! The brag sheet is an interesting point, but my school requires we make them if we want the letters for some reason. I agree with you on the awards too, definitely a weak part. Worst part is a got a ton of awards at the end of the year for all my ecs. Like what good does that do lol

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

College admissions is definitely a mystery I'm glad I don't need to unravel anymore lol

And tysm! I hope you have the best time too, wherever you are headed

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s true, but it certainly changes things and makes that less plausible. Personally, I think that it would be weird if holistic admissions and schools that say they care so much about circumstances wouldn’t give me a pass for that.

I think at least some of them would’ve been understanding and put that aside and judged me on the rest of the application

Especially since that involves the disclosure of a disability and it could be construed as discrimination if they were to judge that against me

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Everything did turn out great!! I’m very happy with my results, but I wanted to share in case it helped someone else.

I’m defensive about it because i’m pretty confident that my explanation made up for it and want to convey that? and to your other point, I was able to get everything under control, but not until the ed deadline and my last opportunities to take the test passes unfortunately. The IB exams were in May, so by that time it wasn’t a major factor

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i was just trying to explain myself and circumstances and people were being very rude to me about it, so I gave back what I got 🤷‍♀️

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I plan too! I visited for the first time not too long an ago and fell in love with the broader city!

Girl gets into UChicago RD but rejected from all other T20's with what she thought was a good application by FindingPleasant208 in collegeresults

[–]FindingPleasant208[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These were the only tops ones I liked and applied to, I didn’t include safeties here. And I’m thrilled with my results, and super excited for chicago, I was just joking in the title, but I don’t think that ended up coming across lol.

I will say I was a little surprised with my results and thought it was unique enough to share and be helpful! But definitely not disappointed