College Essay Consultant

College Essay Consultant After working with thousands of students from all over the world on writing the dreaded college application essay for the last eight years, I’ve finally been able to boil down the process to three simple steps. One way to signal to colleges that you are a strong candidate for the rigorous ways of thinking, learning, and living that the schools can provide is to show just what kind of a risk-taker you are. Instead, my tips are more abstract, perhaps even metaphysical pieces of advice to help guide you through the admissions process and beyond. I’m going to switch gears a bit in today’s posting and give my in-depth analysis of SAT-II problems a breather. AdmitSee has a team that analyzes all of these materials, gathering both qualitative and quantitative findings. And they’ve found some juicy insights about what different elite colleges are looking for in essays. One of the most striking differences was between successful Harvard and Stanford essays. Your goal shouldn’t be to impress with complex sentence structures. Good writing, even when describing complex topics, should communicate each point simply and clearly. The application essay is a common part of the university and college admissions process. What I love about Outward Bound is that it gives students the opportunity to get outside their comfort zones. Many students get excellent grades and test scores but may lack great writing skills as well as compelling ways to tell their story. Your essay is your calling card, and it’s the most important part of the application in many ways, once you’ve been screened by test scores as someone who might receive an acceptance. Capitalize on the opportunity, and don’t fear it. This really depends on the college and how they consider each portion of the application. The essay usually plays a larger role in the application process at schools who can spend more time on each applicant’s file. Going away to college is sometimes uncomfortable, so having the chance to practice being independent, taking risks, and maybe failing can be really good preparation for life after high school. I think programs like Outward Bound are great for students who aren’t sure they’re ready for a four-year college. This is a short-term opportunity to test the waters of college-esque independence. One general insight is that students who take risks with the content and the structure of their college essays tend to be more successful across the board. One student who was admitted to several top colleges wrote about his father’s addiction to pornography and another wrote about a grandparent who was incarcerated, forcing her mother to get food stamps illegally. One successful student wrote an essay tracking how his credit card was stolen, making each point of the credit card’s journey a separate section on the essay and analyzing what each transaction meant. Another’s essay was a list of her favorite books and focused on where each book was purchased. This also had to do with the content of the essays. For instance, a large public university may not have the resources to devote to closely reading the essay portion of the application. The essay usually is in the top ten aspects taken under consideration in a holistic reading of an application. An essay’s importance in the admissions process depends on the student and the college to which he/she is applying. If the student is considered a “borderline” applicant, for example, the quality of his/her college essay may decide whether he/she ultimately receives an acceptance letter. This is especially so at smaller and more selective liberal arts schools, which often adopt a more holistic approach to applicant evaluation and which tend to assign more weight to college essays. Revise, as needed, with attention to word choice, sentence structure, and flow.Does the essay provide new insight? Good college essays typically take several drafts, requiring modification with each shift in voice, tone, or sentence structure. Write, rewrite, proofread, polish, and read aloud. The college essay is your personal touch â€" an opportunity to demonstrate your writing and communications skills and prove your readiness for college-level work. Instead, I will be talking about college admissions essays, and sharing with you some ways to help maintain perspective during the writing process. At first blush, the college admissions essay seems a very particular piece of writingâ€"it is a hybrid form of personal narrative, argumentative prose, epic poem, and impassioned plea. Don’t assume you know what they want to read.Many students feel that their lives would be boring to admissions officials, and then feel the need to pump themselves up in the course of the essay. Remember that writing a college essay reveals a glimpse of who you are and your unique personality â€" it’s your voice. Expressing yourself through this written exercise adds a three-dimensional quality to your application and conveys your personal qualities. Your narrative, along with your academic record and test scores, will complete your application.