Great example on writing a fabulous essay

Parents Forum
1

<p>I was catching up on my DVR'd Friday Night Lights episodes. Most of the characters are HS seniors, so there has been college application scenarios.</p>

<p>The season finale showed one of the characters trying to write a good application essay, but continually coming up with the same trite topics and not showing her true self. Finally, after being coached by a friend to think about what really moves her, she writes an essay that is moving and powerful. </p>

<p>It should be required watching for kids and parents to show the difference between and essay that is well-written but mundane and one that an adcom would find compelling and hard to forget!</p>

2

<p>Lol, Cpeltz–I LOVE that show (and this week’s episode too) and thought the same thing about Tyra in that episode speaking from the heart. These past two weeks–with the senior stuff going on sure resonated, didn’t it?</p>

3

<p>Friday Night Lights is a great show. I like that the kids are normal kids with some very challenging life circumstances. Tyra’s revised essay was great. I almost cried at the end when she got her letter from UT. Can’t wait for next season. What do you think will happen to all the characters who are supposed to be moving on to college? Will Lyla really go to Vanderbilt?</p>

4

<p>Big FNL’s fan here. I too wonder who will really go off to college and who will stay. Show has been renewed for 2 more years. Have loved the college process on the show, although I would love to see a real CC type parent on the show. Seems most of the Dillion parents are clueless to their kids constant drinking and sex parties. That is not HS in my neighborhood or would it be allowed by me, thank goodness.</p>

5

<p>So, for those of us who don’t watch much TV, let alone that show, do you care to share what the successful topic was?
:)</p>

6

<p>It was such a great episode you should watch it online. Anything we say here is going to spoil it.</p>

7

<p>I forgot about that show - I need to find it online. I went to the HS in Austin that the producer researched to make the original movie. I didn’t know that when I went to see it, but I kept thinking, “Wow, they really captured Texas football perfectly!” Then they mentioned Austin Westlake in the credits and I understood why!</p>

<p>Tyra must not have been in the top 10% of her class, or she would have gotten into UT automatically! S would love to get in there, but it’s hard for OOS kids. His only chance is to get on the track team, which is at least a decent possibility at this point, according to the coach. I’ll have to tell him to watch this episode.</p>

8

<p>Watch the episode online on the NBC website. It’s episode 313, the season finale.<br>
You really have to see the whole episode.</p>

9

<p>Here’s the link to the episode - </p>

<p>[NBC</a> Video Rewind](<a href=“http://www.nbc.com/Friday_Night_Lights/video/episodes/?vid=1084844#vid=1084844]NBC”>http://www.nbc.com/Friday_Night_Lights/video/episodes/?vid=1084844#vid=1084844) </p>

<p>Be forewarned, you may get hooked!</p>

<p>PS - apologies for the errors in my OP.</p>

10

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<p>Don’t expect I’ll watch any more episodes, but I do have a craving for nicotine :p</p>

11

<p>I mentioned it to my S, he said. “Okay, can you get me a professional script writer too?”</p>

12

<p>cpeltz, can you give me the title of the episode and when it was broadcast. Out here in the sticks our speed is not up to speed so the link would not work. Thanks.</p>

13

<p>I watched it, too! I really like the show!</p>

14

<p>csleslie51, the episode is called “Tomorrow Blues” and I think was broadcast on 4/9 on NBC. It’s really a well acted and smartly written show.</p>

15

<p>OK I found the show and was able to watch it but my version had nothing about an essay. Just that Tyra was waitlisted, went to UT to talk to an admission person only to find she was one of 1000 on the waitlist, drove home with her boyfriend and then “poof” a letter of acceptance arrived. :frowning: Where was the essay part? Guess my broadcast cut it out though it ran the total time alloted.
Funny, the show takes place only one state away but it might as well be on the other side of the moon from where I am from, especially in the lack of diversity. Otherwise the kids (and their acceptances) were similar to here.</p>

16

<p>OK, found just the essay bit on You Tube for those who might be interested.
[Tyra’s</a> essay from “Friday Night Lights” Crystal Dempsey’s Personal Blog](<a href=“Private Site”>Private Site)</p>

17

<p>Essay episode is not the season finale that was on last Friday, but the episode before that. Sorry don’t know episode number, but go to NBC and watch next to last episode.</p>