How important are the essays?

wegiveaship

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Sep 9, 2015
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Hello,
I am in the process of completing my application but my DODMERB has not been activated— I have been told this is because I have not completed my essays/statements. I was wondering should I spend more time on my essays perfecting them? Or should I just write them and be done with it to open my DODMERB? It is still early in the application process right?

Just to add, I received a LOE not too long ago.

Thank you!
 
How important is it to you to attend USMA? I would suggest proportionately giving as much effort in writing the essays as you have in attending that institution. Same for all other parts of the application and for any other applications that you are filling out for any other school.
Just my $.02.
 
That is exactly how I want to approach this, I want to write the best essays I possibly can. Just do not want to jeopardize DODMERB because of timing
 
Do your very best on your essays. How much you've completed on your file, how competitive you are, will trigger your RC to have your DoDMERB requested. Getting your LOE tells me you're on their radar.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Do your very best on your essays. How much you've completed on your file, how competitive you are, will trigger your RC to have your DoDMERB requested. Getting your LOE tells me you're on their radar.

Push Hard, Press Forward

I was told by my RC that if I complete my evaluations DODMERB will be released. Should I still take my time perfecting my essays?
 
While I believe essays are subjectively evaluated by admissions, it is still a good idea to submit good essays. They are used by the English department and the other members of the admissions committee to get a "feel" for how you write and think.
 
Depends. Does perfecting mean 2 more months? No, don't take that long. Can you spend several hours this week getting them "perfect"? Sure, do that. You need to get your application in way before the deadline.
 
Depends. You don't submit your essays, no DODMERB and incomplete application. Since candidates are evaluated holistically, unless you are an exception, good or bad essays are not going to break or make you. Before the admissions committee have to use your essays to decide to accept or not accept you, they will look at your academics, leadership, and physical accomplishments. Get it done.
 
You can only polish the cannonball so many times before launching, meaning, invest the effort for a good essay, revise and polish, then get on with it.
 
Comment from an RC two years ago: "Don't hold up your application trying to write perfect essays. Make sure they have correct spelling and grammar and answer the questions, but don't overthink it."

Couldn't hurt to ask your RC if you should spend more time turning a good essay into a great essay. My guess is that it would make no difference at all as long as your essay is fundamentally solid.
 
My DD is getting a little carried away with hers. Her AP English teacher says she needs an intro which I agree with but her essays are so nice the way they are with a catchy beginning that I think she should leave them alone.
Would no intro be ok?
 
My DD is getting a little carried away with hers. Her AP English teacher says she needs an intro which I agree with but her essays are so nice the way they are with a catchy beginning that I think she should leave them alone.
Would no intro be ok?

So your DD asked a professional for input regarding the essay, but you non concur with that input, so now you are asking what people you don't know think of an essay they have not seen or read.

My input - the essay is fine as written.
 
If I thought no knew what they were talking about, I surely would not be asking any questions. I know quiet a few people who read some of these posts have experience in this whole process as I do not.
Basically, I'm just looking for what has worked for others so my DD can learn from others. Thanks
 
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