THE BRIDGE TO COLLEGE
Myths About ‘The Essay’
The summer before the senior year of high school is the best time to write college admissions essays. There are a lot of myths, urban legends and misinformation about these essays. Effective college applications start with understanding the true purpose and method behind writing the things that are evaluated by admissions offices.
MYTH: COLLEGE ESSAYS SHOULD SHOW A DIFFERENT SIDE. Many people believe that the way to success is to include as much material as possible in an application. This is incorrect. Humans can’t remember dozens of ideas at once. At best, we can grasp perhaps three concepts at a time. What’s in a resume, transcript, or list of activities is easy to evaluate, so focus on presenting one or two additional ideas in the application. All of the essays – and even the way you put things in order throughout the application – should be directed towards getting one “big idea,” a personal thesis that will be remembered after the entire package is read.
MYTH: COLLEGE ESSAYS MUST BE WRITTEN WITH STYLE AND FLAIR. If you buy a book about how to write a successful college essay, or if you look online for advice or sample essays, what you’ll find is the notion that applicants should write like Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is balderdash. Content should always prevail over style. Powerful essays transmit ideas, not imagery. In an environment where fatigued admissions representatives read thousands of essays, attempting to create imagery that they will absorb is a difficult proposition at best. Instead, use the essays as an opportunity to transmit an idea, one that will add value to the overall presentation. One can write stylistically, but focus first on your concept.
MYTH: THE ESSAY IS INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR WRITING ABILITY. Very few colleges “grade” application essays. They know that the essays are overworked by students, parents, teachers, counselors, paid editors and consultants. They also realize that a student’s writing ability is already reflected in the academic grades and even the standardized testing. What college admissions officers are looking for is the applicant’s human side and personal qualities. Information about character, integrity, ethics, collaboration, initiative, and maturity is critical to the admissions evaluation but cannot be found in test scores, GPA’s, or a list of activities and achievements. Essays (and recommendation letters) can provide insight into an applicant’s humanity.
MYTH: IT SOUNDS EGOTISTICAL TO TALK ABOUT ONESELF. Transmitting ideas about personal qualities need not be boasting. Students should write essays using more narrative than commentary. Instead of saying “I am ethical” (or some other personal quality), try telling a story about you doing something ethical. Great college admissions essays are full of short stories, and they are successful for a reason: stories are easy to remember. Those stories need not show life-changing moments or monumental achievement. As long as the stories represent your idea or thesis accurately, then the idea will be communicated effectively. In truth, communicating about oneself in an essay is best accomplished by a balanced blend of both “showing” and “telling.”
There is an art and science to writing college admissions essays. Worry about content, not style. Start by understanding what the colleges want to learn about you, then figure out which of your human qualities you wish them to know. The best essays communicate those aspects of your human side through personal, genuine storytelling.
Robert A.G. Levine, president of Selective College Consulting Inc., can be reached at (813) 391-3760, email [email protected] or visit www.SelectiveCollegeConsulting.com
YOUTH
Congratulations Class of 2015
Anuj Desai - IB Valedictorian at Strawberry Crest High School, Dover
Anuj Desai, son of Jigisha and Mahesh Desai of Plant City, is valedictorian of Strawberry Crest High School IB class of 2015. Anuj is also ranked No. 3 in Hillsborough County School District this year out of 12,250 graduating seniors. He has accepted an offer to study at the University of Florida as a pre-med student with a focus in neurology. He is also active in the community as a choreographer and director of Om Divine Dance Group with his two sisters Juhi and Shivani Desai and as a member of the Tampa-based dance teams, Jhoomroo Dance Studio and Bull Bhangra. He enjoys playing video games, socializing with his friends, and spending time with family.
NIRITTA PATEL - IB VALEDICTORIAN AT HILLSBOROUGH HIGH, TAMPA
Niritta Patel, daughter of Hemant and Malini Patel of Tampa, graduated from the IB program at Hillsborough High School with an 8.90 GPA, is the valedictorian of the class of 2015 and ranked No. 2 in the Hillsborough School District. She was founder and president of MedQuest – a club for aspiring physicians, president of Future Business Leaders of America, VP of National Honor Society and a board officer of Spanish Honor Society. She was a part of several science and medical activities at local hospitals. She was awarded Young Woman of Promise by the Athena Society, the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award, Bay News 9 Everyday Heroes as well as the Prudential President's Youth Volunteer Service Award. Following her dream to be a physician, Niritta has enrolled at Georgetown University.
Honor your graduate in the next issue. Email [email protected] by June 15, please note graduate in subject line.
