Hello! I was wondering if anyone knew which colleges really place heavy emphasis on essays as part of their review process? Like, are there some institutions that care more about our story, our journey, and our writing skills rather than just numbers and stats?
Several colleges place substantial emphasis on the essay component of an application. Your essay allows colleges to understand your personality, motivations, and aspirations better, which can greatly influence their decision, especially if you're on the cusp academically.
For instance, schools like the University of Chicago and Stanford are known for their unique and intellectual essay prompts and tend to place a substantial emphasis on these essays in their admissions decisions.
Colleges that emphasize a "holistic review" process, such as those in the Ivy League, also place significant weight on essays. For instance, stories abound of applicants admitted to schools like Harvard and Yale with relatively lower stats, but whose essays were extremely compelling and notable.
Likewise, liberal arts colleges typically place a high emphasis on essays. These schools, which include Amherst, Bowdoin, and Swarthmore (among others), tend to appreciate the in-depth insight the essays provide into an applicant's intellectual curiosity and personality.
To determine a specific school's stance, I recommend checking their admissions websites or reaching out to their admissions department. But as a general rule of thumb, never underestimate the power of a well-crafted, authentic essay, as it can serve as your voice amidst a sea of numbers.
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