I’m sure you’ve sat in on college info sessions multiple times to know what each school is looking for in an application. I went through that experience myself, yet I was still unsure of what the “perfect” application is supposed to look like. I knew that colleges wanted to see good grades, a solid amount of extracurricular activities, and standardized testing in the range of the school. However, I wasn’t sure what the “perfect” college essay was or the “perfect” responses to the writing supplements. With that being said, these were the most important parts about my application, and of course my portfolio since I applied to the 5 year dual degree program with SMFA.
I have sustained a high GPA with an upward trend, participated in two varsity sports since I was an underclassmen, I’ve been playing the violin for all of my life, and while this information showed a little about myself, I think my writing components of my application are what really got me into Tufts. My supplements and my essay were major parts of my application and the part I’m most proud of.
For Tufts, you are given three supplements, and with the limited amount of words you are given, you have to let your voice and your drive shine through. If you have an ACT or SAT score you’re not proud of, (guilty), make up for that in your writing. Don’t get hung up on what you think would be good for a college application, but write with passion and be raw. You have to be the most you that you can be.
The Tufts admissions board doesn’t just assign these supplements because they feel like it; it’s a crucial component of your application. It’s where you are able to speak and not let numbers and activities define you. I think it’s important to focus on your writing, and craft them into something that you are comfortable with and proud of.
To sum it up in a nice list
1. Don’t stress too much about your SAT/ACT grade.
2. Express your passions in your writing.
3. Don’t try to be someone you’re not just because it makes a good essay.
4. Your grade and extracurriculars still matter, but don’t go out doing things for the sake of getting into college.
5. In your supplements, write about something new, something not mentioned anywhere else in the Common Ap.
6. Show your voice in your writing, allow the readers to get to know you in a way that they couldn’t by just reading about you.
7. For those of you applying to the dual degree program with SMFA, put your proudest pieces in your portfolio.