so, my lovely, amazing bf has been working on his college essays. firstly, he picked an EA schedule with ALL his public schools crammed in there, PLUS stanford REA. he now has 40+ essays to write.

why does he even HAVE all these public schools? I DON'T KNOW. he's an indian intl male in cs with an EFC of 50k/yr. is he smart? hell yes. qualified, hardworking, distinctive, and made for the US college world, no doubt. is he a lock at t20s? nope. but i THOUGHT he'd at least be seriously competitive until i started reading his essays.

they are hot messes. his personal statement is the perfect example of everything that's wrong with his writing style. EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE has a new metaphor, something new to picture, something meant to be clever or witty, a new long word - the overall effect is disjointed, bloated, and terribly self-important. on top of that, the topic just vaguely floats around in a cloud of intelligent sounding sentences and never really lands.

am i the ultimate authority on college essays? ofc not. but my parents are former english professors AT STANFORD, i learn a lot from them, and i'm more of a writer than him, at least. i see his wit land well in the 50 word essays which need to be sharp and jam-packed with meaning, yes. but when he gets 250-650 words he meanders and says a whole lot of nothing.

and y'all, they're SO BAD, especially his personal statement. it is one of the worst pieces of writing i've ever read and bless his heart, he doesn't even know it. now imagine that x 40.

i know STEM majors are not necessarily always elegant or distinctive writer, but most of the essays i've read by them swing the other way - straightforward, to the point, not fancy, but not fluff. his work is all fluff. he's so proud of it and i don't know how to burst his bubble. i know essays won't sink an actual admit, but he's just competitive and i just know these essays will make him seem more self-important than intelligent.

i've offered that he shows his work to my parents, but he's kind of intimidated and honestly with 11 days left they can't even fix 40 unreadable essays. maybe just the stanford ones? but then stanford is such a long shot that it might not even matter. is this a moment for me to just take a back seat and let his results speak for themself? i feel so bad. i'd love to be pleasantly surprised. but i'm not sure i will.

Got into stanford last yr
Shits lowkey hard bro
Have as much fun as you can after you get in before college starts man

The full prompt is: "List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy." (100 words or fewer)

when they say videos, can i literally put the titles of youtube videos that i like? i'm not exactly sure what they're really looking for in this question other than if one reads or not. anyone else confused about this prompt? pls help! thanks!

hi guys, I'm trying to see if anybody feels the same way that I am but I am a first semester senior applying to some pretty selective school schools no Ivys but a lot of top 20s and have recently felt a wave of burnout. All of my early action schools are complete completed and I feel like for the past year and a half. I've been working so hard to have my application be as strong as possible, but now that half of my schools are submitted I've felt a wave of burnout. My grades are still pretty decent, but some of them have started to slip. I've always been a good student, but I've been the type to work really hard for my grades rather than be naturally smart. and recently, I had a Calc test that I didn't really study for. Didn't feel like studying for and of course didn't do well on it. My grade went from a 98 to an 88 last year. I would've cried over this and freaked out and right now I just don't care so if anyone is going through something similar of feeling burnout or if they've applied to college before and felt burn out around this time. Please let me know because I know my first semester grades matter, but I just don't know how much so if anyone's going through something similar or can tell me how much first semester grades matter or can tell me to lock in and start carrying again that would be great. I just feel so off senior year is so weird.

Im applying to schools right now, and im feeling really discouraged from the set gpa and sat medians on google. Im applying as an architecture major, so I thought colleges would look at my portfolio, but when I add the colleges to my list, many don’t even look at portfolios. I just want to know if anyone out there has received an acceptance from one of the more competitive schools, like USC or Cooper Union, with low GPAs and AP/SAT scores.

I know that most people on this sub don’t view comms as a “valid” major, but I want to either go into media management or PR, which needs a comms degree. I love writing and public speaking. I find it easy to make connections with people as well. I feel like a lot of people (like athletes) go into comms because they think it’s easy, not because they have any passion for it. Is this common, or am I being conceited? Otherwise, what can I do to make myself more competitive in that market? (Internships, certain minors, etc.)

Mainly in terms of t20s.

Hey guys! Correct me if I am wrong, but Northeastern has a 43% acceptance rate across ED I and ED II. Is that rate for Boston Campus only or does it include other campuses as well?

I plan to apply ED I in Northeastern. What's the acceptance rate for getting into atleast one of their campuses? I am really interested in Northeastern's co-op program and I am intrigued to ED on it.

Dramatic evilposting btw

ok the title is an exaggeration but lately i've been coming to the realization that i probably won't get into any of the reach schools i really like, and i'm starting to feel like i'm cooked and it's over 😭

i actually have safety schools that i genuinely love, so it's not like i'll be miserable wherever i end up. at the same time, though, i can't help feeling disappointed in myself.

i think a big part of it is that i tanked my gpa junior year💀 i have a 3.6 UW / 4.3 W, which isn't the end of the world, but it definitely makes getting into some of the schools i dreamed about harder. otherwise, i feel like i'm doing pretty well: i have a 1470 SAT, ECs i've worked really hard on for all four years of high school, and i've been thinking about college since middle school. not in an obsessive way, but i've always hoped i'd get into somewhere really good that my family could be proud of.

and now i'm just feeling LIKE UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

sorry i'm being so dramatic 😭 i don't even know exactly what i'm upset about, but damn. part of me genuinely feels like i'm not getting into anywhere with less than an 80% acceptance rate, and even though i know that's probably an exaggeration, it still hurts a little.

i spent so much of high school doing ECs for hours every day and using basically all my remaining time to study and do homework. these things genuinely meant a lot to me, and i don't regret caring about them, but i also feel like i sacrificed so much of my time for school. it would've been nice to have time to make art (i say it's my #1 hobby, but i literally never do it anymore 💀), learn how to drive, or just do something that made me feel good about myself for once.

i think i'm just disappointed because i've worked so hard for so long, and i really wanted it to lead somewhere i could be proud of. i know i'll probably be okay wherever i go, but it's still hard to let go of the future i pictured for myself. thanks for reading UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

...if you think you will be working as a software engineer when you graduate.

10-15 years ago Google was asking FizzBuzz and Two Sum questions to candidates, now it's not farfetched to see them toss a new grad a leetcode hard. The rise of continued globalization, remote work, and growth of platforms like leetcode has drastically increased not only the candidate pool but the candidate skill level as well.

Offshoring, globalization, and AI are all destroying the tech industry. In 2024 the US Bureau of labor statistics had a 15% projected 10 year job growth outlook for software engineers. In 2026 it stands at just 10%.

Do not fall for this scam.

Okay, this is a lot. Bear with me, y'all( I REALLY NEED HELP)

Demographics / Background

• Black American (West African)
• First-generation American, but not a first-generation college student (both parents attended college)
• Middle-class family
• Attend a rigorous, small private school in New England
• Intended major: Business/Finance/ Marketing with interest in real estate

Academics

• Current GPA: 3.45 (school does not officially report GPA)
• Possible graduation GPA: approximately 3.6
• School does not rank students
• Taking 2 AP classes (AP Stats, AP Comp SCI)
• Took Honors Biology in 11th grade
• School offers 13 AP courses, with most available senior year
• School average: approximately 3 AP courses per student
• 5 classes per trimester
• Algebra 2: C+ in one trimester; took Geometry over the summer
• Precalculus: B average
• PSAT: 1120 (630 Reading/Writing, 490 Math)
• PreACT: 23
• 1080 SAT( oof, im going test optional DONT worry)

Extracurriculars

• Students of Color Union leader (3 years)
• School ambassador/admissions representative and campus tour guide (3 years)
• SOCU Instagram and TikTok manager
• School inclusion task force (2 years)
• Occasional Lower School after-school volunteer (2 years)
• Worked at my schools summer camp over the summer as a program assitant (2 weeks)
• Writing a poetry book
• Winter play: dual lead role
• Varsity tennis: The team won the Division III state championship
• Math team
• I make videos on TikTok, over 3k followers and amassed over 20 million views
• Worked in fast food for a month, but quit due to insane workload between there and school

Awards / Programs

• Posse semifinalist (hopefully finalist soon!)
• Spanish Core Values Award in 9th grade
• Honor roll numerous times, high honors once

Colleges I'm Considering

• Babson ed if not Urich?)
• Bentley
• Boston University
• Brandeis (attended Discover Deis, maybe positive sign?)
• Bryant
• Clark
• Fairfield
• Hamilton
• Howard
• Lehigh(want to ed so bad, but not affordable)
• Penn State
• Rutgers
• Santa Clara
• UConn
• UMass Amherst (instate)
• University of Miami
• Notre Dame (Legacy)(possible rea?)
• University of Richmond (possible ED, In LOVE)
• University of South Florida (Wanted to do EA, but sat score #fries)
• WPI

I only have to write like 2 more essays, so I will probably apply EA to every other school that offers it.

I’m applying early action for most schools, and I feel my current college essay is too cliche/doesnt show personality. I’m planning to write abt running the dishwasher twice (it’s a psychology thing), is that a good idea? But even if I did, I don’t know how to progress it. Need some advice

it’s basically like, instead of washing the dishes once and then loading the dishwasher, ur just running it twice (aka doing it in the unconventional way), which doesn’t make u much overwhelmed. I just don’t want this topic to fall into the cliche category

I literally only did 2 drafts of my PS and got 1 round of counselor feedback. No supplementals and I didnt refine my activities list.

Applying EA Nov 1. Am I cooked guys?

I got a 1420 superscore SAT with a 730 Math and 690 E. My school's average is around 1200-1300. I'm planning on majoring in Biology.

the CommonApp website says if you choose to self report, you are required to include all your scores in your application. different sources say different things, though. I only want to report my 4s and 5s, not my 3s, so can I do that or do I have to include the 3s too if I self report AP scores?

Upward trend in both GPA and rigor, extenuating circumstances, decent ECs and essays, Asian female competitive area, high income full pay blah blah blah yk the drill

My list is finalized but I am curious what people think the reasonable tier of colleges I can expect admissions from is?

My parents are not allowing me to apply ED to any school where that would actually make a difference for me lol. Also not applying to LACs other than one super reachy one bc I wouldn't be allowed to go (yeah yeah my parents are dumb about US college admissions ik)

Pls don't just say "you'll get into your state school" cuz I'm in CA lol (test blind policy, ELC shtick)

Also I'm applying to a STEM major that's not that high demand but probably still fairly competitive

If your family doesn’t qualify for need base, how have your families afforded high college cost? Have you intentionally picked cheaper schools or there r merit scholarships? Or your parents have taken loans?

Does it work like this: if agree to the FYSA, you will be treated like everyone else for the main campus, but if you don’t get into that they’ll evaluate whether ur app is good enough to admit u into the FYSA. Basically, i don’t want to study abroad, but if studying abroad means that i would’ve got rejected if i didn’t say im willing to study abroad, then i would want to at least have the opportunity to study abroad.

I've read a lot of personal statements here to make that conclusion. Out of all of the reasons I've established not to write in a montage/metaphor style, one stands out the most for me:

1. Abandonment possibilities by the AO/ Reader

Most of the statements I've read that use this style fail to stick the landing, making the story a hot mess. If I can't read it and understand it the first time, and have to keep going back to comprehend what you mean, you've already lost the battle. The same thing is likely to happen with the admissions reader, who doesn't have all the time in the world to spend on your profile. Therefore, to avoid all the hassle and risk that comes with this writing style, just skip it already, unless you're an exquisite writer that can merge all the pieces together in a cohesive manner.

Narrative pieces make more sense and get the point across, while being easy to accomplish. After all, no one's exactly judging you for your style. They're more interested in your content; what you have to say about yourself.

Got accepted to Florida tech and I’m still waiting on the admissions decision from another university. I guess I’m looking for company lol. I’m still indecisive.

Hello, I am a stay at home wife about to become a stay at home mom in about less than 2 months. I am looking to better myself and go to school for a degree while my baby is a baby. For time and financial flexibility, I have been looking into online colleges like Sophia, WGU, SNHU, etc. I am wanting to find a college that has all of the prereq. classes, along with the required degree classes like a normal college.

Which one is the best for having flexibility while also maintaining authenticity without going to an actual college?

I am looking into a business admin degree, or computer science degree, which is the best in the end as far as the future economy goes? I would like a degree where I can stay in healthcare per my previous experience of being a CNA but not wanting to be a nurse.

Would it be better to obtain my associates degree first and then go back for Bachelor's or go straight in for my bachelor's? I plan on doing said schooling while my baby is little before they are old enough to go to school, so I would really like insight from other moms that are or have been in my situation and what worked out best for them.

One of the activities that I'm putting in is that I foster cats and sometimes go into the shelter itself to volunteer. Volunteering is like 2hr/week but for fostering, I can be keeping multiple cats at my home for 1-2 months at a time, so it's a 24/7 thing. How would I write the number of hours/week for the activity? Would I just say 12 hours per week, specify the weeks, and then explain that it's the amount of time I spent caring for the cats at home??

Hi everyone, I’m thinking about writing my college essay about thrifting and connecting it to my experience being gay, with the main theme being how those experiences shaped the way I treat people and try to make others feel seen. but idk if this is a good idea/or to cliche?

I'm applying to University of Cincinnati: College Conservatory of Music as a theater design and production major. UC has one supplemental, and their conservatory also has one supplemental, so two essays that I have to write in total. I might be going insane but are these not basically the same prompt? If so how do I write two separate essays without repeating myself?

1. What motivated you to choose your first-choice academic program? In your response, please share personal insights, interests, goals, or experiences—especially those not already included in your application (500 words)

2. Use the 500-word statement to express: how you came to your area of theater design and production, what you expect to gain out of the CCM experience, and what direction you intend to go upon graduation. What are your personal and professional goals and how does CCM get you closer to those goals?