Acing The Admissions Essay

This is a how-to book that will guide you through the process of writing your college admissions essays. With brainstorming ideas and activities, as well as tips on writing style, I will help you put your best foot forward for the admissions committee. Remember: the one thing under your control is your admissions essay! This book includes a plethora of sample student essays that will model ideas for both content and style, and inspire you to write your unique essay. Samples from students who are now or have attended such schools as Harvard University, UCLA, Duke, Stanford, and plenty more abound in this book. Common Application samples and strategies and University of California samples and strategies are included as well.

Attention, high school juniors and seniors! Are you tired of sifting through lengthy, 24-chapter books just to learn how to write a concise, 600-word essay? Look no further! We present to you an action-oriented workbook specifically designed to help you craft a compelling essay that will make you stand out from the crowd. Gone are the days of endlessly reading about other teens' essays. This workbook is all about rolling up your sleeves and diving right into the actual work. We believe in a "get it done" attitude, providing you with easy-to-follow steps that will painlessly guide you through the essay writing process. With our no-fluff, no-stop approach, we have condensed the essential information into seven action-packed chapters. We waste no time and immediately delve into the crucial aspects of choosing a topic, identifying a unique trait, and crafting a captivating story arc. But we don't stop there. We understand that personal narratives are rarely taught in your thirteen years of schooling. That's why we equip you with the necessary tools, techniques, and shortcuts to write one or more strong admissions essay. We want you to feel proud when sending your applications to those "reach" colleges. Unlike other resources, our focus is not on overwhelming you with unnecessary information. Instead, we prioritize efficiency and effectiveness. By following our workbook, you'll be able to complete your all-important essay in a matter of hours, not weeks. Don't waste any more time. Empower yourself with the skills to write an essay that truly reflects who you are. Join us on this journey and unlock your full potential as a writer. Get ready to make an impact and seize your college admissions opportunities with confidence!

With so many qualified applicants, competition for college admissions is fiercer than ever. Now you can put yourself ahead of the pack by making your application flawless! When applying for college, good grades and high standardized test scores are not always enough to guarantee admission. What sets you apart, argues Michele Hernández, is the way you describe yourself in your application. But how do you present yourself with flair, and highlight all your talents, skills, and passions, in just a few pages? A former assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth College, Dr. Hernández takes you step-by-step through the entire application process, revealing the details that make or break an applicant. From the multitude of short and longer essays to the myriad of charts, lists, and personal data sections, she offers essential advice, useful anecdotes, and vivid examples. Included are: • A line-by-line look at the common application • The truth about the essays, with samples of those that made the grade • The best way to ask for teacher and guidance counselor recommendations • When to provide colleges with optional essays and peer evaluations • The ten common myths and misconceptions of the on-campus interview • The most meaningful academic subjects, work experience, and extracurricular activities to mention • Early action versus early decision—the trade offs With this helpful, savvy book, prospective college students—and their parents and counselors—can now vastly improve their chances of getting into the college of their choice. “Want to scale the Ivy wall? Michele Hernández gives you the tools to do it. This brisk, no-nonsense book is built on inside dope, and Hernández’s experience allows her to challenge conventional admissions thinking.” —HARRY BAULD Author of On Writing the College Application Essay

The competition to get into your college of choice has never been fiercer. Unfortunately, much of the application process is out of your hands. But one major aspect of the admission process is under your control—your personal statement. Your application essay provides you with the opportunity to let your true, unique and totally irresistible self shine through. College Admission Essays For Dummies is your total guide to crafting application essays that will make people sit up and take notice. It demystifies the authority figures who’ll judge your work, helps you decide what to write, and then arms you with the knowledge and skills you need to write your essay on time and on target. Step by step, it walks you through the entire essay-writing process, offering priceless tips on how to: Choose the best topic, tone, and structure for your essay Capture the crucial stories that reveal who you are Avoid common pitfalls that can sabotage your application Overcome writer’s block Know how to respond to unusual and off-the-wall essay questions Write successful short answers to specific application questions College admission guru Geraldine Woods punctures common myths about application essays and tells you what you absolutely must do to write a good one. With the help of many inspiring and instructive killer essays, she shows you how to: Put yourself in the right mental state for writing well Gather ideas, focus on a topic and choose the best structure for your essay Use topic sentences, detail, and strong introductions and conclusions Write a rough draft Show rather than tell your story Make sure your spelling and grammar are pitch perfect Create smooth transitions and avoid repetitions Your college application essay is your chance to show the committee that you’re more than just a statistic. Let College Admission Essays For Dummies show you how to write “admit-clinching” college essays.

With so many qualified applicants, competition for college admissions is fiercer than ever. Now you can put yourself ahead of the pack by making your application flawless! When applying for college, good grades and high standardized test scores are not always enough to guarantee admission. What sets you apart, argues Michele Hernández, is the way you describe yourself in your application. But how do you present yourself with flair, and highlight all your talents, skills, and passions, in just a few pages? A former assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth College, Dr. Hernández takes you step-by-step through the entire application process, revealing the details that make or break an applicant. From the multitude of short and longer essays to the myriad of charts, lists, and personal data sections, she offers essential advice, useful anecdotes, and vivid examples. Included are: • A line-by-line look at the common application • The truth about the essays, with samples of those that made the grade • The best way to ask for teacher and guidance counselor recommendations • When to provide colleges with optional essays and peer evaluations • The ten common myths and misconceptions of the on-campus interview • The most meaningful academic subjects, work experience, and extracurricular activities to mention • Early action versus early decision—the trade offs With this helpful, savvy book, prospective college students—and their parents and counselors—can now vastly improve their chances of getting into the college of their choice. “Want to scale the Ivy wall? Michele Hernández gives you the tools to do it. This brisk, no-nonsense book is built on inside dope, and Hernández’s experience allows her to challenge conventional admissions thinking.” —HARRY BAULD Author of On Writing the College Application Essay

Acing Admissions is the only guide you need to help navigate the US undergraduate studies application process. Written with the international student in mind, Acing Admissions outlines frameworks for developing a college list, provides a step-by-step guide to submitting your application and describes the range of financial aid options available to international students. The book also gives detailed timelines with checkpoints for students who want to start planning as early as 8th grade. Practical advice is conveyed through anecdotes and case studies featuring real applicant stories, based on the authors’ years of experience running an education consulting practice for students and families living outside the US.

A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays provides practical advice and helpful suggestions for students writing their college admissions essays, primarily the 650-word Common App essay and supplementary essays that many schools require as part of their admission applications.With more students applying to college—and those students applying to more schools than ever before—college admission selection is far more competitive than in the past and the college essay is a key component. A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays offers suggestions on good topics to write about without getting too specific (and just as importantly, what not to write about) and vital tips on writing approach, grammar, and usage. If used properly, this book will help applicants find their creative voice and craft a readable, interesting, and unique essay that will attract the college admissions reader. It just might make a difference in the final admission process.

College is supposed to be fun, remember? Take the stress out of the admissions process with expert advice on writing personal essays. College can be an absolute blast. But making it into your dream school is no easy feat. Don't be intimidated—College Admission Essays For Dummies is here to alleviate your anxieties and help you craft an unforgettable personal essay with the potential to impress any admissions committee. This helpful guide walks you through every step of the writing process, from brainstorming and prep to the final polishes and submission. You'll learn how to make your essay stand out from the ocean of other applicants and get your personality to pop off the page. In addition to stellar examples of essays that got their writers into their first-choice schools, you'll get the inside scoop on how to: Use writing to transform you from a statistic into a compelling and attractive candidate Illustrate who you are through vivid storytelling and self-reflection Deal with writer's block and essay anxiety to get the most out of your time Learn about the most common question types and get your admissions officer's attention with your short answers With colleges around the country beginning to discount the impact of SAT and ACT scores, the personal essay is more important than ever. College Admission Essays For Dummies is the up-to-date roadmap you need to navigate your way to the perfect college essay.