A student I work with attended a presentation at his high school about writing the college essay. The guidance counselor who conducted the workshop advised the students to avoid writing about universal themes such as a favorite grandparent, a defining moment in an athletic contest, or growing up in a bilingual home. The counselor stated these topics are so overused that most admissions officers will find them either uninspiring or absent of insight into the applicant’s character or personality. Though I agree with this sentiment in general, I would strongly argue that if written well and properly framed, any subject chosen for your essay, even a familiar one, can elicit the results you wish to achieve.
Most students struggle with two facets of writing the essay. One is choosing the topic, and the other is writing it well. I will discuss the former in this posting and address the latter in a future blog. I believe if a topic is well thought out and answers critical questions about who you are, the essay can make an impactful statement in support of your admission to college.
When I advise students, we determine the purpose of the essay. Maybe the essay is used to round out the applicant’s profile, thus contributing insights into how they think. Or a student may have a specific weakness or gap in their portfolio, and the essay could answer questions they know will arise when their application is under committee review. My role is to look for areas in your application that may raise a red flag or prompt more questions than answers. It is my recommendation that in most cases you address any deficit in your essay and not leave it to chance by assuming it will be covered by your guidance counselor recommendation or in an interview. Remember, most interviews are optional and the interviewer may not inform the committee of a particular fact you wish they knew.
So, what is an example of a deficit or weakness in an application? There are various examples; I will point out two common ones. Several students lack extra-curricular activities that create the illusion of aloofness or detachment. A well-crafted and written essay about a passion that consumes most of their free time will counteract the perceived isolationist mindset. I have also counseled students who have an academic weakness to highlight their deep commitment to other scholarly fields, minimizing a perceived aversion to academic rigor. In looking at your overall application portfolio, you need to assess whether you have a weakness that would hinder your chances of admission. If so, can it be addressed in your essay? Here is where I can help.
Now that you have established the purpose of the essay, the next step is to determine the topic to support your objective. Many students view the issue as one-dimensional. However, I can coax multiple threads from one theme. For example, I reviewed a student’s writing that began like every other sports-themed essay. The applicant described the bottom of the 9th inning, tied game, two outs, and the championship on the line. As a Dean of Admissions, I read hundreds of these essays. To reframe the topic the two of us discussed her overall approach to academics. My client described her scholastic effort as persistent, dedicated, and focused. I asked her if there were parallels to sports. The lightbulb turned on in her head. The competition was the metaphor. The introduction sets the stage that described her academic approach and subsequent preparedness for college. The opening seemed routine, but the rest of the essay ties together nicely with profound insights revealing a sophisticated and mature student. This tactic is how you take something ordinary and make it extraordinary.
Conversely, you may have a unique situation but have trouble linking it to the essay prompt or how it defines you. Another student I counseled wrote an essay about the purchase of a classic car. He discussed researching the car, buying it, and restoring it. However, he omitted a crucial facet of the storyline. He failed to mention how he located the purchased vehicle. In my consultation with him, I learned he befriended an elderly neighbor who was socially neglected by his family. For several years, my client would visit with him regularly on his way home from school. He would sit on the gentlemen’s porch and discuss various topics related to current events. During one of the conversations, the gentlemen informed him that he couldn’t renew his driver’s license due to a failed eye-test. He also mentioned he needed to sell the seldom-used car stored in the garage. Guess what type of car the neighbor had parked in his garage? It was the same make and model the student wanted to buy. This unique and revealing storyline offers excellent insight into the young man’s character and willingness to help a neighbor in need.
The essay or personal statement is an opportunity, not a burden. Reflect on your life and determine what facet you wish to share with others. Examine your essay from the admissions committee’s point of view. Do they want to read about you scoring a winning run or how you approach the pursuit of knowledge? Is the committee going to be interested in your automotive hobby or your selflessness in helping a neighbor? I know it’s not easy, but that is why I am here. I can help you tease out your original and compelling story so the admissions committee can learn why you will be a perfect addition to their university.
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