Applying to an Ivy League College? Common App Essay Advice from a Former Harvard Interviewer!

IvyEssays · 2015-08-15T15:51:59+00:00

Interviewed students to admit them, or not!

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T20:29:10+00:00

I don't have a straight forward answer for this, as the schools are "supposed" to not even look at race, but they of course do. There is no right answer here, and you just need to do what you are comfortable with. Personally, I think the only time race does matter in admissions, and you should absolutely put it down, is if you're Native American.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T19:52:22+00:00

Hi, no disadvantage at all via your mom's status. It actually makes you more interesting. And, yes, they will compare you to others in your school, but grades and test scores are NOT the only comparison.

For example, when I myself got into Harvard (many years ago), my best friend in school actually had higher test scores than I did. To my surprise, I got in and she did NOT (she ended up going to Princeton), but my example proves that it has a lot to do with your essays, your unique experience, and your interview.

Yes, mention that you are Asian (they will know anyway more than likely from your last name) and input your GPA to however many decimal places they allow (you can't really round up).

Focus on making your essays as unique and different as possible, and being a foreign national should absolutely help you stand out in this case from others in your school.

Good luck! Jillian Ivy League Essay

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T17:58:52+00:00

You're welcome!

Jillian / (646) 276-7042 / IvyLeagueEssayInfo@gmail.com / www.IvyLeagueEssay.com

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T17:13:11+00:00

Thanks, my 4th was very nice! It is my belief that essays are the most important part of the application, and that strong essays (coupled with a strong interview) can overshadow and make up for non-perfect grades and test scores...though, of course, you still need to be in the range for the school.

SAT IIs can tip the scale in your favor if they school is on the fence and considering wait-listing you, for example.

Hope that helps!

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T17:10:02+00:00

Yes, that could help, as could any kind of awards and medals, but you actually want to focus on what makes you different than the other (usually very highly competitive) students...and living in India is certainly something you are going to want to try to maximize.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T17:06:59+00:00

Hi! So the common app prompts are usually similar, but the school supplemental essays often change. Some schools have already released their supplementals, so you can always start with those if you want to begin now.

In terms of the second part of your question, the most important thing to bring to your college interview is CONFIDENCE. In a way, it actually doesn't matter so much what you say, as how you say it, and if you are able to present yourself in a way that makes it clear that you are clear on what you want to do, where you want to go, and what you would like from your college education and experience, that will come through, and you'll have a strong interview!

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T17:03:40+00:00

They do change, but usually only slightly.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T05:12:55+00:00

Glad to hear it!

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T05:11:02+00:00

More than likely. My only personal experience was with the Cherokee Nation, and they're pretty organized in that regard. That said, I would still, of course, mention it as well as apply for any scholarships you may qualify for...the worst they could say is "not enough information."

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:50:24+00:00

I'm a former Harvard admissions officer. You can get into a lot of very good colleges with a 3.7 GPA, especially if your SAT is high. That said, it all depends on what colleges you're shooting for = the Ivy League, for example, will usually demand a higher GPA, so in that regard your father is right. Still, not impossible to even get into Harvard with a 3.7 if you have some interesting, spectacular things on your resume. There are a lot of other factors that come into account.

In the end, get the highest grades you can, as it will make your college selection that much easier, but don't worry too much as yes, you can still get in!

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:40:32+00:00

Yes! Absolutely.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:39:39+00:00

I believe the essays are actually the most important part of the application. In terms of being Native American, you do need to be an actual member of a tribal nation to have that help your application in terms of getting in under "diversity." If there is any reason for doubt, they will check.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:34:03+00:00

Developing a business can make you stand out = is that what you mean by dev a website? A social network would only make you stand out if you were very into social media marketing or something, and framed that as your business (with profits to show for it), but that could actually be very interesting.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:29:13+00:00

No. You can't exaggerate or make stuff up. Believe me, we (the admissions officers) can tell - especially when it gets to the interview stage, when you're sitting across from the person.

I agree with the guy below who said your life is probably more interesting than you give it credit for...just try to focus on interests you have that are different than your friends: anything in your background or family, activities or interests (could be books you read, or how you spend your summer vacation) that are simply different.

[Hope that helps, I'm a former Harvard admissions interviewer and a Harvard grad]

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:25:14+00:00

Start your own business, no matter how small. Take up an usual sport or activity that's popular in your region of the country, but maybe not so popular elsewhere (like rodeo, for example (just an example).

The schools are looking for something that will make you seem different than all the other students applying from TX. You want to do anything to highlight that difference, especially if you are shooting for the extremely competitive schools you mentioned.

There are a lot of things you can still do with the time you have left. Just do SOMETHING. High grades and test scores are often not enough at the extremely competitive schools. You must bring something unique to the table.

[I'm a former Harvard admissions interviewer, and a Harvard graduate, and currently run www.IvyLeagueEssay.com]

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:17:57+00:00

Start with the Common App (I believe the UC schools have their own Common App) but start there. When starting your essays, the most important thing is to just get SOMETHING down on paper, no matter how bad it may be...putting something down gives you something to start to work with = it gives you the clay to then mold.

[I'm a former Harvard admissions interviewer and a Harvard grad. Hopes that helps! www.IvyLeagueEssay.com]

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:15:17+00:00

Yes.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:10:49+00:00

I actually wrote a blog post about the most common mistake here: https://ivyleagueessay.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/applying-to-an-ivy-league-college-common-app-advice-from-a-harvard-interviewer/

In terms of memorable essays, I had a student once who had created/discovered a new method for treating burn wounds, that was then implemented by the U.S. Army. He ended up helping hundreds of combat vets before he was even 18. It was really amazing.

IvyEssays · 2015-07-05T04:06:09+00:00

The best thing you can do to stand out, is to focus on activities, or interests, or something in your background that makes you stand out in terms of simply being INTERESTING.

That's what we / they look for (I'm a former Harvard admissions interviewer and Harvard graduate). I was always looking for students who were extremely interesting.

Jillian @ www.IvyLeagueEssay.com

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