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Just wondering...
Cause i was planning on doing mine this summer, and wondering if i was behind.

By Curiousone (Curiousone) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 08:12 pm: Edit

Well, none of the applications for next year are actually online until July or August, so no, you're not behind. ;-)

But you can always get started on your essay for the Common App.

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 08:28 pm: Edit

true, true

if i only KNEW where to send my common application to!

could someone PLEASE really recommend me some schools --- i need to start now

and i cant make up my mind :-( and freggen no one is around to help me out. grrrrr.
my post is in that"juniors" thread. PLZ take a look at it. im traumatized.

By Midnightdanzer (Midnightdanzer) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 03:28 am: Edit

LoL what do you wnat to study, what's your passion? what are your stats etc...what type of school atmosphere do you prefer

and then schools can be recommended =)

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 03:09 pm: Edit

hehehe - well - lets see. im traumatized cuz ive seen so many good kids get rejected. yet at the same time sometimes i see kids that are accepted, whose credentials frankly make me wonder why the others were rejected. I'm pretty ignorant of the system until now, and there's no one around to kindda offer me guidance.

thanks for all the input

:-)

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 04:42 pm: Edit

Gabypa,
I just looked at your stats/stuff and think that you have great prospects at the very top schools. I think your best strategy is to 1. go to an English bookstore and get "The Best 345 Collages" and read. 2. Check out the internet sites of the schools that sound interesting. 3. Email about 25 schools simply expressing your preliminary interest, attaching the text from damnsw.net, and asking for materials, and 4. then start a dedicated research effort on the schools with the best programs in your specific interests. That may cut the list down to 3-5 schools. Of course, you will need to apply to 10 or so, including some real safety schools, but I have a feeling that you will get to go exactly where you want.
Anotherdad

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 04:53 pm: Edit

Anotherdad-

Thank you so much for your answer. I ordered that book yesterday! :-) And thanks to everyone's help, I'm starting to go to those sites and attempting to make a sense out of everything. Normally they are very informative, fortunately enough. About the e-mailing part, tho, would not that be a little bit... boastful, perhaps? I'm afraid such action would be misunderstood - but, what do I know. You have more experience than me.
I already started researching colleges that have the areas I'm most interested in. But there are so many! And they look all so good!
And what safeties do you think could fit my case? When is a safety exactle a safety?

Thanks so much for everything, Anotherdad!!!!

:-D

By Ickyfoo (Ickyfoo) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 06:46 pm: Edit

nope, i havn't.


this summer i will though

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 07:50 pm: Edit

do you know when they all come out?

By Mdo (Mdo) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 07:58 pm: Edit

harvard released their application (the common with supplements) already. they sent it to me about a month ago. and yes, it is 2003-04

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:19 pm: Edit

SERIOUSLY???????????????

I looked at their site and theres nothing in there

ARE YOU SURE? PLZ CONFIR<M!!!

By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:19 pm: Edit

Gabypa~

I also think that the vast majority of the top schools would love to have you!

Enjoy your summer and fly to Rio. Copacabana or Ipanema are waiting for you!

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:24 pm: Edit

awww.



thanks :-D

By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:24 pm: Edit

Oops.

I forgot to mention this. I believe you should look into suscribing to the US News and REport Premium Online Service. I think my dad paid like 5 dollars more than the book itself.

There is a service that allows you to send emails to lots of schools without having to look up all the addies.

Let those application roll in

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:27 pm: Edit

Oh yeah? Thats so cool. Im gonna take a look at that. Thanks! ^_^

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 03:27 pm: Edit

Gabypa,
A random thought. Brown has one of the best Portugese programs in the States. If you want a hook to the Ivies, that's a great one. Brown also has the highly sought after Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) that might fit your interests.

However, if you apply to the PLME and the doctors do not accept you, Brown does not consider you for regular admission. Just part of the strategy to think about.

By Congresssenator (Congresssenator) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 05:44 pm: Edit

Duke has sent out their viewbook and application. I think almost every kid in North Carolina has received it.

It's a very cool book, so be on the look out.

I have also received apps from American U. and WUSTL, though I intend on applying to neither. Middlebury has also sent an app, but it's the new Common App...definitely a bonus!

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 05:51 pm: Edit

what about H? is it true what mdo said?

By Congresssenator (Congresssenator) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 05:59 pm: Edit

The only thing I have received from Harvard is the letter they send out to PSAT high-scorers. Said letter, if I remember correctly, assured that materials would be mailed out near the end of summer.

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 06:03 pm: Edit

oh okies thanks for the info

By Mdo (Mdo) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:33 pm: Edit

Its true, harvard sent me their application and view book about a month ago. no, i'm not lying.

By Cassatia (Cassatia) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:37 pm: Edit

anyone else get anything from harvard?

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:53 pm: Edit

Gabypa,
The top schools log in all contacts you make with them. With your qualifications you would like them to notice you a bit. Simply requesting a viewbook off the net is not sufficient -- you should include a summary of your credentials so that they understand that you are well qualified, but remote, and hence there may be reason to send you more than just routine material. You want the admin counselor for your country to start building a file on you now. Second, you should request possible meetings with alumni interviewers in your country (some of the schools will have them).

By Useatoothbrush (Useatoothbrush) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 12:05 am: Edit

I plan on drafting several essays this summer and getting them heavily edited and revised until they are perfect. Otherwise, I think I may just make a really detailed list of my extracurriculars and think about who to get recs from and other stuff that's good to get out of the way so that the application process will be really streamlined. I will not I will not I will not be pushing any deadlines--this is my resolution for the application season.

By Aznbrouhaha (Aznbrouhaha) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 12:26 am: Edit

How long does the process take if you request a viewbook from Harvard's website? (or for any college, for that matter?)

Anotherdad, is your advice (summary of credentials) for american students, too?

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 09:07 pm: Edit

I was speaking to Gabypa, who has outstanding credentials and is in a special situation because she is in Brazil. But in general, if you have a specific interest in a program or professor at Harvard (or wherever) it would not hurt to make note of it in your early communications. But listing qualifications at this point would be rather pointless for Harvard because American students applying to Harvard would all probably sound pretty much the same.

By Studiousvegetar (Studiousvegetar) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 06:18 pm: Edit

I haven't started. I haven't received any apps yet either.

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 06:27 pm: Edit

I've started looking at apps for my son. Do most people fill them in by hand? A million years ago when I applied to college most people typed college apps. But I don't know anyone who even owns a typewriter anymore. For the essay parts, I suppose it could be done on the computer and you could paste little slips of paper onto the app and then copy. Do people do that?

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 06:33 pm: Edit

i dunno. im gonna handwrite. anotherdad, isent u an email, btw. :-)

By Rowan (Rowan) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 09:11 pm: Edit

Texas137: I highly suggest you invest in a typing machine (just a reglar one, not necessarily 'vintage' but probably one of those edit-by-line typewriters) or send applications online.

Handwriting is usually not a good idea. You may think your handwriting is the best, but it's up to the adcomm to interpret it and clean lines are always a plus -- besides, it takes far less time to type something than it does to carefully and legibly handwrite it (in most cases).

A typewriter is fairly cheap nowadays. All you really need is something that'll clearly print your letters. All other processes can be done online or via dictionaries.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 11:14 am: Edit

JUNIORS: DO NOT START applications until the summer. You may have an essay draft written back in May/June, but 99.9% of the time juniors submit essays that have written in September/October versus those written in May/June.

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 02:13 am: Edit

agh! WHY AM I NOT GETTING ANY APPLICATIONS? i think i got one from U of Rochester for some very odd reason...but thats on. i KNOW im on the mailing list at Harvard and Duke...and you've gotten apps already? maybe they just dont like me? lol...

By Thedad (Thedad) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 02:50 am: Edit

Most schools don't have their Fall 2004 apps out yet.

By Wawalu223 (Wawalu223) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 04:10 pm: Edit

I got my first application in the mail today from Harvard. It's just a book with pretty pics of the school and the common application inside. I don't plan to apply to Harvard, but I am definately gonna look over the essay choices on the Common Application. I hear that if you wait till the last minute you'll be so bogged down with applications that you're gonna wanna rip your hair out.

By Cassatia (Cassatia) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 04:46 pm: Edit

people gettin applications, do u live in us? wawa, where do u live?

By Nyugrad (Nyugrad) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 08:13 pm: Edit

My son received an application for Harvard today. We live in New York. The application looks like the one that is described above. Be patient, and give the mailman a chance!

By Wawalu223 (Wawalu223) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 10:39 pm: Edit

Hey Cassatia,

I live in northern NJ, which is in the US. I guess they just send them out at different times. I mean i didn't request the Harvard one, but I got it yet all the schools I requested applications from haven't sent me a thing. So, be patient.

By Almostdone (Almostdone) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 06:18 am: Edit

ahhhhhhh i just moved this april, only 5 minutes away from my old apartment, but of course the colleges don't know this so the guy who moved into our old house is now getting all the applications! we asked the post office to forward them but they said college mail doesnt count cuz its sent in large numbers from a mailing list or sth. argh.......

By Stillwaters (Stillwaters) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 11:47 pm: Edit

Hm, I just got a Harvard viewbook and app today, too.

What's curious is that I didn't request an app. I got a letter from them a few months ago (the standard PSAT one) but I didn't respond (I'm not interested in Harvard). Hehe, anyone want one? I'll mail it to you.

....Norah ;)

By Maritimee (Maritimee) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 02:15 pm: Edit

I've started my applications to all of the schools on my list.

By Underqualified (Underqualified) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 02:56 pm: Edit

I got that Harvard viewbook/app on saturday, as well. I have never showed any interest, and I also only ever received the standard PSAT letter. They just want me to apply so that they can reject me and up their rejection rate!

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 04:31 pm: Edit

underqualified is probably right. they recruit the smartest kids around the country just to deny them and brag that they rejected "80% valedictorians and 75% 1600's" to boost their ratings and make their school seem better. of course...i still want my app im patiently waiting...and no i havent' started any because none have come yet except U of Rochester, which i dont plan on applying to.

By Boycrazychick04 (Boycrazychick04) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 08:26 am: Edit

I already know I'm defintely applying to Temple! But my dad says it's to far away.

Anyways, I haven't even visited any colleges yet but Im probably gonna start practicing on my essays.

By Fiza (Fiza) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 05:18 pm: Edit

Yeah i just got my harvard viewbook a few days ago. Its not very informative about the admissions process, but of more importance to somebody who wants to know the school and is already in. I didnt even know i was on their mailing list- my gpa is only like 3.7, 1330 SAT scores...go figure...

i really dont want to go but my dads making me apply. im sure i wont flunk out IF i get accepted with their 97% graduation rate and all...

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:20 pm: Edit

got my harvard app today. its pretty intimidating, but the sad part is that its the common app so i better get used to filling it out or do a good job on it or something if i plan on ever getting accepted into college. i plan on starting my apps mid-july. gives me plenty of time to do them, but also a month to relax and not worry about anything school related!

By Cuponoodles (Cuponoodles) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:56 pm: Edit

Most schools I'm applying to don't have their apps. out yet. I already narrowed my list down to 9 schools (maybe knock out 1 or 2 more). I already have a great idea for my essay. I'll probably write it over the summer, and just apply it to all the apps (easily done IMO).

By Ashleycrombie (Ashleycrombie) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 08:11 am: Edit

what are the essay questions for harvard?
i won't be getting mine till like...8 weeks later cos i'm out of the USA. =]
be nice and tell!

By Interesteddad (Interesteddad) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 02:24 pm: Edit

You can pretty much count on needing two essays for every college you apply to:

1) Why do you want to go to that college
2) Topic of your choice.

The common application also asks for a brief essay on an extracurrirucular, work, or life activity that was important to you.

IMO, the trick is not even think of it as answering these questions.

Rather, think of:

a) How you want to sell yourself to the college

b) What experiences, moments, or stories can you share with the college.

Then, take those two lists and come up with three topics, taking into account things on your application that need to be highlighted or things that aren't on you application and need to be communicated.

Once you are at that stage, figure out which of your three topics is going to be used for each essay answer.

You are going to be judge like a political candidate: three bullet-points or sound bytes. Why? Because a guy reading 2000 applications has about as much time as a two-minute evening news segment for "in-depth" analysis.

Therefore, you've got to think like a political candidate. Three bullet points (cut taxes, improve education, strengthen the military) and then stay on message. The goal, in both cases, is to have people who don't know you from Adam be able to say, "Oh yeah, he's the guy who wants to cut taxes, improve education, and strengthen the military."

Now, here's the real trick. Your bullet points need to be something that pushes some hot-button at the college and you can't send them total BS. Your bullet points have to be credible and consistent with everything on the application.

By Cuponoodles (Cuponoodles) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 05:34 pm: Edit

Just answer a general question. Most schools have something like "answer your own question" or "pick a quote". This essay can be easily applied to something like that.