Even though we still have a few weeks to go before kidz head back to the classroom, many rising seniors are starting to obsess over looming college applications and the admissions process in general. For those of you going through the frenzy (or those with suffering loved ones), I’d like to offer some of my thoughts on the process, which I shared with students on Kaplan’s website last spring. This first piece addresses the infamous college essay. Hope it helps!
For many high school seniors, agonizing over the college application essay has become as much of a rite-of-passage as going to prom or pep rallies. Depending on where you apply to college, you may have to provide 250- to 500-word responses to broad prompts like “Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you” or “Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.”
This may feel like unchartered territory because high school students are not accustomed to writing about themselves in general.
Most of the writing you do in high school is related to a specific book in English class or a war that you learned about in history. Usually, you know what you’re “supposed” to write before you actually start typing. College essays don’t have right or wrong answers, which can be intimidating for many applicants.
Whatever you do, don’t panic. The truth is that students tend to over-emphasize the role of the essay in the admissions process. Yes, your essays are important and will certainly be read by the admissions staff. However, no one gets into any college because of a good essay alone. Without the academic credentials to back up beautiful prose, you’re likely to end up with a comment like “nice essay” on your application next to the dreaded verdict of rejection. And, when you think about it, that’s probably fair. One or two essays cannot and should not eclipse three and a half years of hard work.
When it comes to writing a good essay, there’s really no magical formula. The most important thing, as with so many of life’s crucial tasks, is to communicate clearly. Just like in a job interview or with a cover letter, you never want the person who you’re trying to impress to have to work to understand what you’re saying. Use lucid language and organize your ideas logically.
When it comes down to writing your college essay, now is not the time to be gimmicky or cute. Have you heard the urban legend about the kid who got into Harvard because he had the guts to respond to “What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?” by writing “not answering this question” in his essay? I promise you that never happened. Admissions officers can’t take you seriously if you don’t take yourself seriously. For example, don’t write about overcoming adversity if your problems aren’t significant (avoid writing essays on topics like “the pain of living through construction on our summer house in the Hamptons”). And don’t say negative things about your classmates or teachers. Admissions officers are trying to build a class, and no one wants someone with a bad attitude in their lab group or dorm.
Of course, don’t forget to proofread and edit your work. It helps to have someone you trust – like your English teacher, older sister or parent – read your essay before you send it in. Ask them if what you wrote sounds like you. If the answer is yes, then you’ve probably written something authentic and sincere. Even though this is the whole point of the exercise, it is also often the most difficult part of the task.
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Kidz Today is a column about youth and education by Joie Jager-Hyman.
Funny, I still remember writing my college essay. I totally took the easy way out and described a dream I had. Lame, I know. But I guess it worked?
I recall vividly the writing of many college essays for many applications, and that was over 20 years ago. I was terrified even though I went to a top prep school, was a good writer, etc. I didn’t have the math skills to round out my applications. I felt like I needed to write about something unique, so I did, and it was a gamble. I attended two colleges of my choice as well as law school, and had ho-hum experiences at all of them. Lesson of the story is, don’t blindly reach for some school because of its name or rank and have a coronary in the process…..pick the best school for YOU. If you are like me, get some math tutoring. Try ziizoo.com, where Ivy League student tutors are online 24 hours a day waiting to help.
I was told about the kid who answered the question “What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?” by typing “this.” and I didn’t find it gimmicky or cute. I actually thought it was gorgeous. Everything I ever wanted to know about this kid I learned by their response and I would have let him in just on the basis of the creativity of his answer. But that’s just me.