When you fill out the Common App, you will probably feel that it is somewhat limited in allowing you to truly express yourself. In all, you will have a small amount of space to provide your input and answers, as well as the opportunity to write two essays. One essay should be generic. The other should be school-specific. Aside from these opportunities, you may also submit some supplemental materials.
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. Focus on selling yourself. You may have a very entertaining story to tell, but if it doesn't illustrate the kind of person you are and what you have accomplished, it will not serve it's purpose.
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.
-It did not tell me about anything the applicant had accomplished. -It only gave me an idea of one aspect 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.
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2. Point out your accomplishments!
Many overachievers tend to be overly modest. Even though, they have had tremendous accomplishments, they tend to soft-pedal them. They say things like:
"Naturally, there are many others who are just as worthy as I am of attending Harvard, if not more so."
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."
Simply do not say things like that.
Of course, you don't want to be an obnoxious braggart and make wild claims about your brilliance, but don't sell yourself short! Take pride in your accomplishments. You earned that right. Talk openly and honestly about how hard you have worked to achieve your goals, win prizes, and accomplish things that were impossible for others.
Click here to learn how to transfer to Harvard
3. Make it personal.
Telling anecdotes about the contests you have won, conflicts you have settled, and experiences you have had is very effective. It makes a strong impression in the mind of the reader. Be sure that your stories tell about your successes and ways in which you have prevailed against adversity. This sort of story supports the acceptance of your application.
4. Talk about your achievements. Don't point out your shortcomings.
This is not the place to share the fact that you only got third place in the first track meet you ever participated in. The only exception to this would be if that event acted as the springboard to your winning the state championship.
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."
It is certainly no better to drop the names of well-known professors or alumni. This impresses no one.
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.
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. Focus on selling yourself. You may have a very entertaining story to tell, but if it doesn't illustrate the kind of person you are and what you have accomplished, it will not serve it's purpose.
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.
-It did not tell me about anything the applicant had accomplished. -It only gave me an idea of one aspect 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. Point out your accomplishments!
Many overachievers tend to be overly modest. Even though, they have had tremendous accomplishments, they tend to soft-pedal them. They say things like:
"Naturally, there are many others who are just as worthy as I am of attending Harvard, if not more so."
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."
Simply do not say things like that.
Of course, you don't want to be an obnoxious braggart and make wild claims about your brilliance, but don't sell yourself short! Take pride in your accomplishments. You earned that right. Talk openly and honestly about how hard you have worked to achieve your goals, win prizes, and accomplish things that were impossible for others.
Click here to learn how to transfer to Harvard
3. Make it personal.
Telling anecdotes about the contests you have won, conflicts you have settled, and experiences you have had is very effective. It makes a strong impression in the mind of the reader. Be sure that your stories tell about your successes and ways in which you have prevailed against adversity. This sort of story supports the acceptance of your application.
4. Talk about your achievements. Don't point out your shortcomings.
This is not the place to share the fact that you only got third place in the first track meet you ever participated in. The only exception to this would be if that event acted as the springboard to your winning the state championship.
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."
It is certainly no better to drop the names of well-known professors or alumni. This impresses no one.
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.
About the Author:
Hopeless To Harvard is an insider's account of how a B+ student got into Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. Click here to get college admissions tips and tricks, and go to any Ivy League school. Learn how to get into Stanford now!
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