highwyre237 wrote:
Just to add here, I did not do a TOC. I ended up going with a failure essay instead, and still got in. Some people think the TOC is a great place to show creativity, but for me, it was a bit hindering... It was either creative with zero content, or straight dry content... I was able to express my personality a bit more clearly in the failure essay.
Remember, there's a reason why Johnson made the TOC essay optional last year; if they really wanted everyone to write it, it would still be mandatory.
Just to add further, I did the TOC last year, and everyone I showed the essay thought that it was very entertaining, but I still did not get in - was dinged w/o interview for 2YR program and with interview for 1YR program - so you cannot charm the adcom by just one essay; you actually need some substance in your application to get in.
On a different note, count me in for R1. How can I not apply to the legendary "@highwyre 's" institution.
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