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Whoever first said that you
should worry only about the things you can control was
not helping to ease the concerns of the student writing
his or her application essay. By that criterion, the
student-writer should be very worried indeed. The
scariest aspect of the admissions essay is that you have
total control over it. With our help, you will learn to
see the essay-writing process not as a daunting obstacle
but as a stimulating opportunity. When you send out your
application, you will--in theory--have nothing left to
worry about, knowing that you have capitalized on all
the means available to you.
The college admissions
process is extremely selective. Talented and motivated
students from around the world compete against each
other for a scarce number of spots. Facing the difficult
task of choosing among often indistinguishable
candidates, admissions officers must rely heavily on
those factors that provide insight into the applicants'
characters, and these usually boil down to
recommendations and essays. Although you can and should
choose your recommendation writers carefully, the essay
remains the only aspect of your application over which
you have total control.
What makes the essay such
a useful measure is that it represents you on two
fronts: the substantive details of your experiences
themselves and the style and approach you take in
presenting them. Both aspects can say a great deal about
your abilities and qualities.
The number-one mistake
that writers make is to stick to formulas and thus end
up blending in with everyone else. The purpose of this
guide is not to teach formulas, but rather to give the
necessary direction for you to create an original and
effective essay. We will teach you how to choose
appropriate topics and themes, how to structure your
essay as a coherent and flowing piece, and how to convey
your ideas through engaging and active language. |
