I hear a frequent question asked by students and parents alike: “Do they really read the essay?” Based on my own experience and having read more than 25,000, my response is “Yes!” The expression on the student’s face says it all. “I guess I do have to write that dreaded essay.”
I regularly question why so many students see this task as daunting, formidable, and excruciating. Most clients are at ease discussing with me their academic plans, the type of college they wish to attend, the careers they are contemplating, and who is influential in their lives. As part of our initial meeting, many of these topics are similar to prompts posted on college applications.
So, what is the cause of their anxiety? I believe the primary reason is the process of writing about oneself, committing it to paper, and having it judged and analyzed. For many students, writing a reflective essay itself is a challenge. A term paper with footnotes is much different than trying to express one’s feelings or convey a dream or desire for future events. Some students spend little time reflecting on distant activities (most students view six months as far-off). What can be done to ease the burden or the intimidating nature of writing a college essay? Let’s review some valuable topics and advice:
- Importance ~ Colleges do care what your essay says about you. Most of what you submit for your application are facts, figures, and recommendations. You provide the voice, you shape the application, and you give it a unique spin that separates you from all other applicants.
- Time ~ Be mindful of deadlines and have your essay ready at least two weeks before the due date. Taking the initiative offers your proofreaders (like me) ample time to make suggestions and gives you time to revise.
- Topic ~ This may be the most challenging step in the process. “I don’t know what to write about” is a phrase I hear all the time. Pick something you are comfortable talking about and can express freely. Choose a topic that offers insights into your personality, beliefs, or convictions. The essay does not and should not answer all questions about you, but if it’s useful, it will provide knowledge about you not found elsewhere in your application. Be careful of clichés or overused topics like discussing your grandmother or attending the Boy Scout Jamboree. Both are essential parts of your life, but if they do not define who you are, they will be indistinguishable from many essays written about these two common topics.
- Opening ~ Nothing is more important than capturing the attention of your reader in that first paragraph. Consider that most readers of college applications will review up to a thousand essays in an admissions cycle (between November and April). Some will read during regular work hours, but most will read into the late evening. Imagine your application is the final one reviewed and it is well after midnight (not an unusual quitting time during the file-reading season). Be prepared to write your paper as if it were. Take time to develop the central theme of your essay in your introduction, so be creative and draw in your reader. I will help you improve that technique.
- Conciseness ~ Review the essay instructions. The length of the essay should be from one page to one and a half pages or 500 to 1,000 words. Watch for overused words and keep on message.
- Closing ~ Tie your opening and closing together, reinforce your major theme, and if a parable, bring it to closure. It is vital to leave the reader informed and not asking additional questions from an essay that has no endpoint.
- Accuracy ~ Check and recheck your essay. Have others review it, provide feedback, and correct grammatical and punctuation errors if any. This step will ensure a polished and legible document.
In my 20-plus years of reading applications, I can say that the essay plays an integral part in the decision-making process. Do I remember most essays I read? The answer is no, but I also do not remember the tens of thousands of recommendations, transcripts, interview notes, or test scores supplied. However, I do remember some of the essays submitted by students over the course of my career reading applications. What stood out for me was how students discussed common topics in unique and imaginative ways. They took an ordinary situation and expressed it with honesty, openness, and brevity. The essay is not an unnecessary hurdle, but an opportunity to share your personal story with those making difficult choices among fantastic applicants. Make your essay count, bring forward your personality, and have some fun with it. When you accept the challenge, I am sure your essay will have as much impact as the rest of your admissions material. In a future post, I will share specific information about some of my favorite essays and how to frame one. Stay tuned.
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