If you are hoping to be able to express yourself completely on the Common App, you will probably be disappointed. It is a limited document that provides a small amount of space for answers and information. Additionally, you may submit supplemental materials, and two essays. One of your essays should be specific to school. The other one can be generic.
By following these Five Essential Tips, you will be able to produce an essay that will greatly enhance your chance of admittance in a top school.
1. Paint a clear picture of yourself. Tell about your personality and accomplishments. This is much more effective than telling a good story.
An applicant may submit a very wonderful essay recounting childhood experiences and family tales; however, this sort of essay does not tell the examiner the two things that are necessary in determining whether or not to admit an applicant.
-The essay should tell about the applicant’s accomplishments. -The essay should give a clear, well-rounded picture of the applicant’s personality.
For these reasons, the applicant was put on the wait list. Of course, the essay was not the sole reason for this decision, but it was one of the reasons.
Click here for more Ivy League admissions advice
2. Blow your own horn!
Many overachievers tend to be overly modest. Even though, they have had tremendous accomplishments, they tend to soft-pedal them. They say things like:
“Of course, there are lots of applicants who are more deserving of Harvard placement than I.”
Or
“Being accepted to Stanford will be the luckiest day of my life! I know there are others who have worked just as hard to earn it.”
Don’t say that kind of thing.
Naturally, you don’t want to be full of yourself and lord your accomplishments over others, but be equally careful not to be too modest. You have accomplished a great deal, or you wouldn’t be applying to a prestigious school. Make the most of your accomplishments. Be proud of the prizes you have won and the goals you have achieved. Put your best foot forward.
Click here to learn how to transfer to Stanford
3. Make it personal.
Sharing appropriate anecdotes about your life is very effective and memorable. The essay about the family that adopted dogs is a case in point. Even though it didn’t help that applicant, I still remember it. If you share stories of your life in a way that showcases your personality and your accomplishments, it will go a long way toward getting your application accepted.
4. Talk about your achievements. Don’t point out your shortcomings.
The only exception to this is if you failed at something several times but kept trying until you succeeded spectacularly. If your failure caused you to try harder and prevail, include it. If not, leave it out.
Your childhood accomplishments, while charming, are not pertinent to your essay unless they led to further accomplishments in your high school career. If winning a prize for the best science project in 6th grade led you to enter and win a national competition later on, be sure to point it out. If not, omit it.
5. Don’t mention people you know at the school unless it is important to the story you are telling.
Many times I have read essays with this kind of statement prominently displayed:
“I know Fred Smith, who is a freshman here at Harvard. He is a very dedicated student, whom I deeply admire. That is why I am most interested in attending Harvard.”
If you happen to know the name of one of a professor or well-known alumnus, it is not helpful to insert it in your essay.
If you need to mention a person’s name because it is necessary to the sense of the story you are telling, do so. Otherwise, it is best to avoid it.
