gonzoswim wrote:
Does anyone know if the park fellows essay has any bearing on an admit decision? I just want to know whether my essay should be an extension of the rest of the application.
I don't KNOW, but I rather doubt it. Think how crazy-busy those people are right now -- they're barely keeping with deadlines. Do you think they want to read another essay? And it's an essay that not all applicants write -- no int'l students are considered for Park, and plenty of domestic applicants don't bother. If admissions used the essay, doing so would provide an unfair advantage to Park applicants over non-Park applicants.
Also, Clint Sidle doesn't work in admissions. He works with admissions to manage the Park selection weekends, but my guess is that the essay reading is probably primarily within his office.
However, I am sure that Clint and staff are reading your entire application when making Park choices, so don't say anything contradictory. But I wouldn't worry much about making the Park essay an extension. Instead, answer the essay as best you possibly can.