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I'm planning on applying ED to Michigan, then ED to UVA if I don't get in Michigan. Is submitting genuine "Why X" statements for each school a fruitful effort?

Thanks.

It won't hurt, but it probably won't help. You've already declared your love for them by applying ED. You'd be gilding the lily.

plenipotentiary wrote:It won't hurt, but it probably won't help. You've already declared your love for them by applying ED. You'd be gilding the lily.

Okay. Thanks for your advice. What would you say my chances are at either school, assuming they really like my personal statement, LORs and softs?

plenipotentiary wrote:It won't hurt, but it probably won't help. You've already declared your love for them by applying ED. You'd be gilding the lily.

This. ED is the strongest "Why X" you can say; they already know you'll commit to going there, there's nothing left to improve your odds beyond that.

vanwinkle wrote:

plenipotentiary wrote:It won't hurt, but it probably won't help. You've already declared your love for them by applying ED. You'd be gilding the lily.

This. ED is the strongest "Why X" you can say; they already know you'll commit to going there, there's nothing left to improve your odds beyond that.

Cure cancer.

whymeohgodno wrote:

vanwinkle wrote:

plenipotentiary wrote:It won't hurt, but it probably won't help. You've already declared your love for them by applying ED. You'd be gilding the lily.

This. ED is the strongest "Why X" you can say; they already know you'll commit to going there, there's nothing left to improve your odds beyond that.

Cure cancer.

Cute.

Thanks all for your help, suppose it's not worth it.

whymeohgodno wrote:Cure cancer.

That's just a soft, though, not a part of a "Why X" (unless you're saying you want to pursue a joint JD/PhD on their campus to continue your research).

I thought if your numbers are very sub par, a "why me" is more powerful than "why x". Yale specifically tells us that they don't want to hear about "why Yale". Well apparently if the school is a reach, there is probably no reason to explain why because everyone knows why you are reaching.

r6_philly wrote:I thought if your numbers are very sub par, a "why me" is more powerful than "why x". Yale specifically tells us that they don't want to hear about "why Yale". Well apparently if the school is a reach, there is probably no reason to explain why because everyone knows why you are reaching.

I ED'd to Michigan and wrote a Why X, but philly has the right idea, I made sure to mention how I would be a good fit for them. I guess it ended up being sort of a Why MeChigan

Ditto, I ED'd and also wrote a Why Mich essay, but it was mostly about the great experience that I had with the people there when I visited and how I thought I'd fit in. I figured it would help my numbers some if I showed that I would be a good fit for the community, as opposed to a more academic-based "why" essay

Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

r6_philly wrote:Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

Did you apply with those stats in profile? If so I would say your numbers probably played a much greater role!

whymeohgodno wrote:

r6_philly wrote:Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

Did you apply with those stats in profile? If so I would say your numbers probably played a much greater role!

163 3.8? the Ed helped i would think

whymeohgodno wrote:

r6_philly wrote:Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

Did you apply with those stats in profile? If so I would say your numbers probably played a much greater role!

170/3.88 but my file was not complete until late March. I got waitlisted by every other T14 being so late. Dean Zearfoss told me that I was the last one she admitted (day of the ASW). I don't think my number was of much use at that point (or I would have gotten at least one other). Several people with slightly better numbers was waitlisted on the same day.

r6_philly wrote:

whymeohgodno wrote:

r6_philly wrote:Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

Did you apply with those stats in profile? If so I would say your numbers probably played a much greater role!

170/3.88 but my file was not complete until late March. I got waitlisted by every other T14 being so late. Dean Zearfoss told me that I was the last one she admitted (day of the ASW). I don't think my number was of much use at that point (or I would have gotten at least one other). Several people with slightly better numbers was waitlisted on the same day.

Well I think your case is completely different to OP's because you have numbers (and URM status?) that made you an auto admit candidate applying late while OP is a splitter applying early.

I agree though that it can't hurt to put in a little more effort.

whymeohgodno wrote:

r6_philly wrote:

whymeohgodno wrote:

r6_philly wrote:Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

Did you apply with those stats in profile? If so I would say your numbers probably played a much greater role!

170/3.88 but my file was not complete until late March. I got waitlisted by every other T14 being so late. Dean Zearfoss told me that I was the last one she admitted (day of the ASW). I don't think my number was of much use at that point (or I would have gotten at least one other). Several people with slightly better numbers was waitlisted on the same day.

Well I think your case is completely different to OP's because you have numbers (and URM status?) that made you an auto admit candidate applying late while OP is a splitter applying early.

I agree though that it can't hurt to put in a little more effort.

I'm ORM. I didn't get in Duke, UVA, Cornell, Georgetown, W&M. Priority reserve at most.

I'm ORM

Oh - Asian?

You would have been a shoo in with those numbers anyways!

is a why duke worth it? (im not doing a DS)

whymeohgodno wrote:

I'm ORM

Oh - Asian?

You would have been a shoo in with those numbers anyways!

See above, priority reserve at others where didn't write a letter. I have a write a different letter this year, I have to explain my withdraw last year and why they should pick me this year, so I have been dragging my feet even though I was told it won't be held against me.

HowdyYall wrote:is a why duke worth it? (im not doing a DS)

If your number is not super strong, yes. Actually if I wrote one I probably would have gotten in already. I have been under review for maybe 4 weeks. I sense a priority reserve! Again!

r6_philly wrote:Last year I wrote about how Michigan would help me in my professional pursuits, how it's strengths in reputation, alumni network, national reach can all help me after graduation. I didn't write about academics at all. I was accepted even though I applied at deadline. I was waitlisted everywhere else. I think my Why Michigan had a lot to do with it.

I think I'm going to do this, it's one of their optional essay topics-- how Michigan can play into my post career options.

Thanks for the advice!

I'm within Michigan's numbers 3.93 / 168 and I applied ED and wrote a why Michigan essay. You just have to show how Michigan's goals match your own. I talked about wanting an academic career and the programs Michigan has that will help me out with that if I can earn high enough grades. Plus stroking a school's ego cannot hurt.