Write A Winning College Essay

Write A Winning College Essay The essay is a chance to become three-dimensional and distinguish yourself as more than just a number on a page. It shows admissions officers who you are as a person and differentiates you from the others. “You have to hope that (the reader’s) taste jives with your sensibility,” Jager-Hyman says. In other words, they wouldn’t ask for them if they didn’t read them. As for what story to fill that gap, many students haven’t experienced extremely novel circumstances yet, and that’s okay! It is more important in how you use your event to showcase your personality. No event is too mundane if you can make it show how it was pivotal to your development. Beyond that, the essay is your opportunity to stand out; take advantage of it. With top schools, almost every other applicant will have a high GPA and good test scores. Remember that there are over 4,000 colleges to choose from, and you should look for the school that will help you reach your greatest potential. In other words, you should find a school that offers interesting academic programs, helpful and accomplished faculty, and a vibrant community in which you are excited to get involved. A true “fit” is a place where you feel welcome and at home. This advice may have been repeated over and over, but that is because it’s true. Don’t write about something because you think it will look more impressive to admissions officers. The goals are now different, but the process of working together is the same. We especially value having the opportunity to work with students again who we advised back when they were in high school! There is no way to know who will be assigned to read a given essay, says Jager-Hyman. Every reader has his own taste in what he wants and what matters to him, and a student sometimes gets lucky. We love to see our students' personal growth in the years since high school as they take their next steps towards law school, medical school, or graduate programs in any field. We are a support system for students and parents during this stressful time, including throughout the decision process, providing guidance on navigating acceptances, deferrals, waitlists, and rejections. Do not write your way into the essay by simply restating the initial prompt or question. Instead, put the reader in the moment by painting a picture and then elaborate on why it is important. You’ll see THREE winning essays that were part of accepted applications. If you choose something you are passionate about, the enthusiasm behind it will show, and that is more valuable than anything you could do solely for college admissions. Your transcript, awards, and extracurriculars tell one story. Rather, focus on aspects of you that haven’t been covered yet. “We don’t have a problem with having some assistance,” she says, understanding that students want to present themselves in the best light. She encourages applicants to ask someone who doesn’t know their narrative, such as a neighbor or church member, to provide a fresh look at the essay. Moreover, it impedes a school’s ability to see who they are, get a sense of their authentic voice and writing style, and determine if they are prepared for the writing demands of college. It is crucial to present your true personality through your essay. Colleges and universities are quickly becoming more competitive than ever. Every year, the number of qualified students applying to top schools increases, resulting in drops in acceptance rates. Harvard College accepted 1,962 out of 42,749 applicants in 2018, a mere 4.59 percentâ€"the lowest acceptance rate in Harvard’s history. “Parents have the gift and burden of knowing their students better than anyone; they are therefore uniquely qualified to help them identify good essay material,” Heathman says. But, if they can’t limit their participation appropriately, or are causing their student needless stress, they should seek out a teacher or counselor.