50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

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wait  list  lEttEr
“Wait list supplement”
Pen-Yuan Hsing
Duke University
This is not an application essay, but it is a letter that Pen-Yuan wrote after 
being placed on the wait list. Pen-Yuan tried to address topics not covered in 
the Common Application and was ultimately accepted to Duke.
Mr. _____________, Dean
Duke University Office of Undergraduate Admissions
2138 Campus Drive Box 90586
Durham, nC, USA 27708-0586
Dear Mr. _____________,
Boy! Was I disappointed to receive your letter! However, I do wel-
come the chance to explain more clearly my values, passions and rea-
sons why I think Duke is my first choice.
My application and recommendation letters stated my scientific 
accomplishments. The passive thermoacoustic cooling device we pre-
sented at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel 

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50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays
ISEF) won the Best of Team Category and First Award, among numer-
ous other special prizes. We patented this device and are working with 
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