I'm a musician interested in using public policy, public service, and the arts to educate others.
Harvard UniversityCommitted
Brown UniversityAccepted
Case Western Reserve UniversityAccepted
Dartmouth CollegeAccepted
Middlebury CollegeAccepted
Skidmore CollegeAccepted
Swarthmore CollegeAccepted
University of VermontAccepted
Wesleyan UniversityAccepted
Williams CollegeAccepted
Yale UniversityAccepted
Princeton UniversityRejected
Stanford UniversityRejected
University of ChicagoRejectedI recommend starting your research, brainstorming, and writing essays early. Ideally, have your list finalized by the middle of junior year and look for opportunities to reuse essay topics to minimize the workload.
You should ask for recommendation letters early in your senior year. Seek out teachers who know you personally and have influenced your learning, rather than just choosing classes where you received high grades.
I suggest pursuing academic and intellectual experiences during the summer, such as local institutes or professional shadowing. These activities demonstrate your passion for learning and help you refine your college interests.
I highly recommend writing the optional, open-ended essay. It provides a unique space to show the admissions team who you are as a person beyond what is visible in your scores and extracurricular activities.