for university of pittsburgh - is it important to write something for the optional essay part?

Is it best to just mention the name of the journal you published in rather than adding the link, details, etc in additional info?

I also got a rec letter from my mentor

My SAT score is a 1210 and might be going to the 1300’s, I know this is far below MIT’s admits but I have some decent EC’s (including MITES) and also some context as to why my score is at that level, is this worthy of an MIT application?

I'm a high schooler who did COSMOS last year, and I'm wondering if it will help in any way?

Brown is my first-choice school, and I've been planning to apply ED, but with November 1 approaching, I'm reconsidering whether it's the right decision.

My profile: US Citizen, IB curriculum, ~3.8 UW GPA, 1470 (770 Eng, 700 Math) SAT. nterested in humanities (philosophy, media studies, anthropology) and visual arts/design. My strongest activites are in visual art and music, but nothing extraordinary for other ECs. I'm also pretty happy with the caliber of my arts portfolio.

The problem:

I submitted my school's internal document requests on time, but I just realized Brown requires two core academic teacher recommendations. I'd previously asked my English and Art teachers, assuming Art counted (which I thought I'd confirmed with my counselor).

I've also been procrastinating following up with both teachers and sending the official Common App invitations. Now I'm considering asking my Math teacher, who knows me pretty well, for my second academic recommendation.

My concern is that asking (or following up) this close to the deadline for any of my teachers might end up resulting in rushed, poorly thought out letters (Plus annoyed teachers and a bad rep for myself). And since Common App recommendations generally can't be changed after submission, I'm worried this could affect my other college applications too.

On top of that, my Brown supplemental essays aren't as strong as I'd like them to be yet. I could probably fight to finish them by November 1, but I think they'd be better with another two months.

My biggest dilemma:

Brown's ED acceptance rate is around 16.5%, versus roughly 3.9% RD. I understand these numbers are skewed by recruited athletes and differences in applicant pools, but I'm still worried about missing a potential advantage.

ED demonstrates commitment, the applicant pool is smaller, plus Brown hasn't already filled 50% of its class. Do these factors offer any actual benefits? especially for an applicant whose strengths lean more toward art and humanities than academics?

If my application quality would be roughly the same for both rounds, I'd obviously choose ED. But if my essays and recommendations could be decently better for RD, is that worth giving up the potential ED advantage?

I'm meeting my counselor tomorrow, but I'd really appreciate some outside perspectives, particularly from people familiar with Brown admissions.

Would you push for ED in this situation or prioritize a stronger RD application? And would you worry about asking a teacher for a recommendation this close to the deadline?

hey everyone, for the disagreement essay for usc i'm feeling a little stuck on what to write. for context i am applying computer science and engineering, which i am very aware is super competitive so i'm a bit worried about my disagreement essay.

I was thinking of writing about how my brother and I are very different when it comes to organization and we have a lot of shared spaces, which led to lots of arguments. basically i start off the essay how i wished my brother would learn to act like me but then i got to understand his priorities better so know i understand that organization is js not something he cares abt as much as me and i have to respect that, and how that's like a mindset i have now for future discussions (learning to ask before assuming).

if i don't talk too much abt the actual arguments itself but the reflection afterwards do you think that this topic will work?

i know its more lighthearted and not as serious of a topic but i wanted to know if it'll still cary good value, all advice will be very appreciated :))

(This post is for venting)

I have been reading posts in this subreddit and in other parts of social media for weeks and months. I can't even express how angry I am right now. The application process has been annoying the heck out of me.

People have been using the phrase "low-income" as if it's a casual, filler word or a small inconvenience. I've seen people behaving as if they're the most struggling ones in the world when they face one single problem.

First of all, low-income is not a word that people can randomly drop.

It's needing every scholarship you can get.

It's counting pennies and questioning whether you should even get candy.

If you have tutors, mentors, people around you that have an idea about everything, you're privileged.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it should be understood properly.

Low-income families or students can't even imagine affording those colleges out of their pocket.

When people like me talk, it's called "trauma-dumping."

This is not trauma-dumping. This is a call for simple justice and fairness.

Can they give any student like that the assurance that their application will be properly considered during "holistic reviews?"

Nowadays, everyone is perfect with research experience, non-profits, awards.

Will those students who fight to study at 3 a.m. because they care be even visible?

Secondly, it drives me so crazy to see that people treat the top colleges in the world as doors for prestige, money, and resume-boost when they should be for people who want to actually use those opportunities to make a change.

When you say that, you're told to go to a local school because it's more convenient.

I'm really tired of hearing and reading all these.

My EC's add up to around 30 hrs/wk during the school year. Is that too high and unbelievable and should I just downplay them to be safer?

I'm a bit worried cuz I don't think I'm gonna be able to submit my applications earlier, so I was just wondering if there's a situation where everyone is trying to submit in the last miniute and the system started to lag and some people will just end up missing the ddl..

btw it's 11/1 ddl I'm referring to

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

is it saying that your first choice major will also help you achieve your personal goals? Or is the first choice major part only about career goals?

I am applying to Stanford REA, and I have taken many dual enrollment classes that are not on my high school transcript. As far as I can tell, there is nowhere to add them on commonapp and Stanford's website says that "Official transcripts and required for college courses not reported on high school transcript." When do I need to submit these? Does this mean by the application date? Can I order them from parchment now even if they arrive early? Thanks

I see some people say that adding spots 8-10 of the common app for extrauccirulcar activities may hurt you because it makes you look like you're padding your resume. After 7, my activities drop off hard, but they are still kind of meaningful albeit much less so. Is it worth omitting activities 7-10 to make my activities look stronger. Can adding weak activities hurt you?

I'm a week out from the ED deadline of November 1, and my personal statement still needs significant restructuring, and I have drafts for the why major and why Rice essays that need to be more polished. I also have to write one more 500-word community/residential college supplemental. Should I still apply by this deadline, or wait till the ED 2 deadline of January 4th?

I am freaking out about this essay. I’ve spent well over a month working on my personal statement and supplements, yet now, a week before the ED deadline, I only have 2 of the 5 finished. I hated every draft of my personal statement and am still struggling to conclude it.

I see so many people say that if you don’t have your first draft done a month before the deadline, you shouldn’t bother with the application. I’m frustrated because I did start in advance, I just never got anywhere.

I feel unsure of what they want from the essays, so I turn to YouTube. Then, I feel like my essays are too YouTube-esque and start to hate them. I’m so scared my essay sounds like one of those “I hate the letter s”, or that quirks from other people’s works have come out in the way I write.

If anyone has tips or has struggled in a similar way, I’d love to hear it.

ik it depends on the school but lets say they want it by nov 1. Do we just have to submit all docs/fill it out and put the school on by nov 1st or does it count when the schools acc receive the form?

I was part of BU RISE internship track. Obviously RSI will boost your application by 200%. But, for programs like BU RISE or SSP (which probably has similar prestige, but more recognition), how much will it actually help your chances to an Ivy? I know people say causation over correlation. But, I still think the program itself has value because its a competitive way to experience actual research vs just random family connection or cold emails (although it shows initiative + its free).

Hello.. it has recently (30 min ago) come to my attention that my counselor submitted an incorrect transcript to my common app :( I took precalculus as an online summer course the summer after my junior year and received the adequate credits, I am currently enrolled in AP calc AB. However, my transcript shows that I am currently enrolled in precalculus and has no mention of AP calc AB as a course I’m currently enrolled in. I really don’t know what to do since I’ve already submitted an app to 3 schools that are all rolling admissions (Pitt, a&m, utd). My counselor is new this year and I come from a really, really big high school so I have no relationship with her nor is it easy for me to meet with her. Is there still an opportunity to submit the correct transcript or is it just over??

Thank u for reading

My Stats: I am senior at a highly competitive stem focused high school. I have a 4.0 unweighted, 34 ACT, research experience, solid ec's, ap classes (Chem(4), CSP(5), CSA (5), APUSH (5), APAH (4)), dual enrollment (eng 111/112, calc 1/2, physics 1A).

My Education Goals: I want to study chemical engineering if I stay in the US because I believe that will give me the best foundation to work OR pursue a masters. If I go abroad I am interested in studying either chemistry or chemical engineering (depending on program) and would intend on pursuing a masters. I don't want small town, I don't want to live on campus, I would need an English based program because I'm not very proficient in other languages but do intend on learning the native language wherever I go. Research is extremely important to me. Also I love chemistry. I'm really interested in physical chemistry (which might make you think why chemical engineering but i promise I just think it gives me a more rounded foundation).

Why Europe: The program structure- I love that they cut the gen eds and throw you right into rigorous, major focused courses. Also the uni culture- I am not looking for a tight knit community, i do not need to live on campus, I know how it differs from American uni's and I love that. Also I want to leave America- here life is very much live to work and I would prefer to work to live. I plan on permanently immigrating at some point. It would be nice to be able to move now for my bachelors, but I recognize that may not be the most logical choice. I know you might say just go to a state school AND DON'T WORRY IM APPLYING TO 8 OF THEM SO HOPEFULLY SOMEONE GIVES ME A FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP but really thats just me crossing my fingers. Even state schools are unaffordable with the cost of living compared to the aid I'll receive.

Being Realistic: I have 60k usd set aside for school right now (tuition + life costs). In America I am not eligible for much financial aid, if any. Budget has some flexibility. I do not believe Europe will be more affordable (with everything considered), that is not what I care about. Budget is just for logistics. I have a very heavy senior year course load and my domestic college apps are overwhelming any ways so I would prefer minimal extra exams. I know this is lazy and probably compromises my potential.

I've spent too much time researching and this is the most realistic list I've come up with for myself:

Aalto University

Kaunas University of Technology

Johannes Kepler University Linz (I actually need to do more digging because I am not certain I'll even meet diploma requirements BUT THIS WOULD BE AN IDEAL OPTION IF I DO)

Any advice, suggestions, thoughts, comments, ideas, feedback, would be appreciated. Family is supportive, I just have to figure out everything myself (sigh).

Okay so I'm applying Rice ED.

I took AP Physics 1 in sophomore year but I'm not really good at physics so I got a 3 for the test. But I did have an A in the class cuz the teacher wasn't really harsh.

I took AP stats in junior year and kept an A in the class. But I got really sick before the exam so I flubbed it.

Do I submit these scores? The rest of my APs (8 of them) are all 5s and 4s and the major I'm applying for is mathematics (natural science). I'm afraid that if I don't report them, the AOs will think I got a 1 or 2 on them. But some people are saying that it's best not to report.

Especially Merced bro their marketing in the interviews and shi get tuah point as well

Edit: The only actual mechanism that people argue NEU games their rankings with is deflating their acceptance rate/inflating yield but that is not something that USNWR takes into account for their formula in the big 2026 so... my point is padding stats != gaming USNWR

Hi everyone! I'm a senior currently in the application process, I plan to major in either neuroscience (behavioral track) or psychology. I do attend a relatively small prestigious boarding school. I do think I am a very average student so I am unsure of what to do in terms of applying at the moment. Over the summer, I fell in love with Emory University and wanted to ED there. My parents however are saying no because its too far and they're worried about the cost. I'm also so confused about what the FAFSA says because I thought an SAI of 0 was good? I'm just worried that I spent 4 years of my life getting a "better education" just to get into a school I could've gotten into at a public school. But anyways I just don't know what to do.

Stats:
GPA: 3.7 W (school only does weighted)

SAT: 1160 (11th) R&W = 540 Math = 620 (planning to take the November one)

Classes: 4 Honors, 6 Advanced (school doesn't do AP's or anything else)

Honors: Honor Roll / High Honor Roll multiple terms

Extracurriculars:

• BSU Member (9th-11th) BSU Leader (12th)
• Leader of School’s mental heath club (12th) Member (11th)
• Captain of JV Volleyball (11th) JV member (9th-10th) Varsity member (12th)
• JV Squash (9th) Varsity Squash (10th-12th)
• Varsity Tennis (10th-12th) Planning for Captain 12th
• Founder of my own sewing/clothing business
• 150 Hours Community service
  • 3 Different programs
• Bell Choir Member (10th-12th) 
• African Drumming Member (12th)
• JV Lacrosse (9th)
• Finance Club (11th)

My Current List is:

Emory University

New York University

University of Pennsylvania

Boston University

Tufts University

Northwestern University

Fordham University

Syracuse University

University of Maryland

Howard University

Rutgers University

CUNY Hunter College

Drexel University

SUNY Buffalo

Manhattan University(Direct admit)

Top questions:

Realistically are my stats good enough for my top schools?

Should I keep this many New York schools?

With these schools, would I be set financially?

Does my list look balanced for a Neuroscience/Psychology major?

Another one of my worries is if I go to a New York school and have to live at home/commute.

I am applying to Purdue’s first-year-engineering program. When I was creating my schedule for senior year, I was planning on majoring in elementary education. I already had an internship lined up and didn’t want to drop it and have to change my entire schedule to accommodate for physics. I know that taking physics is strongly encouraged and not having it on my transcript probably hurts my chances of admission, so I don’t want them to think that I didn’t take it simply because I didn’t want to. I want to mention this in the additional information section, but since it wasn’t exactly a scheduling conflict, I don’t know what to say or if I should say anything at all. I also don’t want them to think that I am not dedicated or committed to engineering, as revealing my initial interest in elementary ed might make my switch to engineering seem spontaneous and not entirely intentional.

hello i had applied and i did get the “thank you for applying we will send your sac state id soon email” but i havnt got anything its been like a week.

Applying to a school that is need aware for out of state students. They require FAFSA and only require CSS profiles for people who want to be considered for need aid. I don't have need, and won't qualify for need aid. Problem is I submitted my CSS to a few other schools that require it for merit scholarships along with my EA, and I'm tired and I also included the need aware school by mistake. I can't undo it with CSS.

I'm afraid the school is going to wonder why I asked for a need scholarship, or worse be put into an admissions pool that's harder to get out of. Do I email them rn and say ignore my CSS it was a mistake I don't want to be considered for aid? I'm afraid of that because maybe they hold that against me for screwing up the submission and not understanding the instructions, and just reject my whole app.

Do I just let the CSS ride, do I call them anonymously and ask, or do I email them and ask to withdraw the CSS? Or something else?

for context, im currently a freshman at my school in my first semester but overall i haven’t been happy with my college at all. im in state currently, but im still paying ~20k/semester just to attend this school, and i feel like i haven’t made many friends, the dorm quality is horrible, our sports suck, and a majority of the social/nightlife aspect of this school is greek life oriented which im not interested in. i feel so out of place here. the only reason im here is because i got into a 6 years pharmD program, and thought it’d be a good opportunity. recently though, i visited a friend and my brother at another school (which isnt quite up to part academically, nor do they have a pharmacy program) but everything seems so much nicer there. the campus is urban and the buildings are modern, the social aspect isnt greek life focused, etc. i’m thinking about transferring even though id have to give up on my pharmacy program. i wouldnt mind switching to be a chem major and graduating earlier (because this school actually accepts my ap credit- unlike my pharmacy program), although i dont know if im just saying that because im burnt out. but then again, if im burnt out now its only going to get worse in 5 years no? also, when i applied to this other school in high school i got a good scholarship, making it cheaper than the school i currently attend. im hoping to get another scholarship if i transfer and have this (out of state) school be cheaper. my only concern is that it isnt as prestigious as my current school, but does it truly matter in the long run? am i just overreacting?