The current application process requires students to rank up to three seminar choices and write a single essay briefly introducing themselves to the professors of these seminars and explaining why they are interested in each course. As a Nov. 20 article in The Daily Princetonian explained, an algorithm is used for placement that is based on maximizing the number of students placed in freshman seminars first and maximizing student preferences second. In the most competitive seminars, professors then read these essays to select which students will be in their course. ??
The application essay that freshmen write, however, seems ill-fitted to the purpose of selecting students for the most popular seminars. Before applying, freshmen are told that their essay will be used as an introductory tool and in some rare cases may be used for selection. But writing an introductory essay with a rationale for three choices is not the best way to convey interest in a particular seminar, as it limits the ability of students to justify why they should be chosen for each seminar. It is superfluous for the professor of a sought-after seminar to read about why students are interested in their second and third choices when setting the course’s final roster. ?
Instead, students should be given the chance to write essays that devote more than a paragraph to their choices. By explaining in greater depth their interests and background, reasons for choosing the seminar and what they will bring to the class, freshmen can actually make a compelling case for why they should be in the seminar. This style of application essay would be the same as those already used to determine competitive seminar placement for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Using a new, seminar-specific essay would necessitate other changes in the freshman seminar application process. Students would still need to rank their first, second and third choices, but they would have the opportunity to write an essay for each seminar choice. An essay would be required for the first-choice seminar, and students would be given the option to write separate essays for the remaining two choices. If students were placed into a seminar for which they chose not to write an essay, they could then supply a brief statement of introduction to the professor. ?
Making this small change in the application process would allow freshmen to better justify why they deserve spots in the most popular freshman seminars. Since this style of essay is more in line with the often-competitive nature of the freshman seminar selection process, the administration should reform this system for next year’s freshmen.
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