https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZtfCyIZEfAVkg7aHzhzC
- A podcast about the US college application process by Yale
- For the transparency of the process:
- People share various things because they don’t want to be seen as hiding anything
- It’s nice to see things clearly (blu3mo)
1,2
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There are regional representatives who carefully review the applications
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Then, in a group meeting, they discuss each applicant for about 5-10 minutes
- The representatives explain the overall structure, connections, and story of the submitted materials
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After that, there is a (anonymous in the case of Yale) vote
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Listening to the discussions, it gives the impression that decisions are often made on a whim… haha (blu3mo)
- Well, it’s a qualitative evaluation, so it can’t be helped
Dealing with decisions
- If you get rejected:
- It’s important to have the mentality of “It’s their loss for not choosing me”
- Getting rejected doesn’t mean your high school life was a failure
- The competition is tough, and College Fit matters too
- If you get accepted:
- Gratitude is important
- Getting in shouldn’t be seen as the ultimate goal in life
- It’s just a milestone
- Waitlist:
- Instead of having hope for the waitlist, it’s better to forget about it and consider other options
- If by any chance the waitlist results turn out to be good, you’ll be extremely happy, and if not, the disappointment will be minimal
- I feel like I already have this mentality (blu3mo)
- Instead of having hope for the waitlist, it’s better to forget about it and consider other options
- In any case:
- What you do at the college you get into is more important than which college you get into
Choices Game
- Adding awards in the additional section:
- It’s not very good, and having too many might be overwhelming
- Recommendation letters from research mentors:
- This is an exception and it’s good to include them
- Humor:
- If you tend to say funny things and it comes naturally to you, it’s good to let your voice show
- Also, if the context is clear (so it doesn’t require excessive explanation)
- When you find a typo, resubmit:
- It’s not necessary
- Poem:
- While I want to read reflections, it might just consume the word count unnecessarily
- If it allows you to express your creativity, then it’s good, but it’s not a good means to stand out
- Braggy:
- It’s okay, but instead of just saying how amazing you are, make it reflective
- Humblebragging is not reflection
- It’s not about avoiding sounding boastful, but rather making it reflective
- Drama:
- There’s no need to make the story so dramatic that it deviates from the main point
- Also, an interesting dramatic story may not be ideal for a college essay
- Reflection is the most important aspect
- Including links:
- It’s okay to include them, but it doesn’t guarantee that they will be viewed
- It might become redundant
- If there’s something important, it’s better to write it in the essay or other parts
- However, if there are things that can’t be expressed through videos or essays, it’s okay to include links
- Avoid including links to lists of awards, etc.
- More is not always better!
- Additional spaces:
- For example, using them to summarize the changes in location due to frequent relocations or to explain the reasons for not being able to take specific classes is a good use