<p>I can't write an essay to save my life. How much could it harm me at Cornell/Duke/Rice/etc.?</p>
<p>How likely is it that an essay hurts your application?</p>
<p>It would be a death knell. The essay ( and maybe a little of the interview) is the only thing that “speaks” when adcoms are looking at your app, otherwise they just have a bunch of stats and facts. Unless you’ve got some serious hook(e.g. you’re black from Compton), it will critically damage your application. </p>
<p>But that doesnt mean you cant improve, ask your english teacher for help and maybe you might produce a better essay than you thought you would.</p>
<p>I hate you for telling me that</p>
<p>I don’t think there is any “hook” that will excuse a bad application… Harvard rejected an IMOer… most likely because of something like this. What better hook can you get?</p>
<p>Alex, what exactly about your writing is bad? Is it grammar that’s hurting you? Judging from your post, I’d say no. I think colleges would still be impressed if your essay was passionate and unique, even if your writing wasn’t awesome</p>
<p>Depends on what kind of school u are looking into. As you aim for more and more higher schools, the emphasis on subjective material also rises because everyone has the 2300+ on SAT, 4.0 GPA, top 1% Rank, and great EC’s</p>
<p>Okay let me ask a different question:</p>
<p>How much could a complete essay, free from any grammatical or spelling mistakes, possibly hurt you? such as the most boring essay in the world?</p>
<p>You can write a decent essay if you follow “the formula” and use correct grammar, syntax, tense, subject/verb agreement, etc.</p>
<p>1)…first paragraph…what will be your thesis? Put that at the end of your first paragraph.</p>
<p>2) …next paragraph(s)…include the point(s) that support your thesis. Be sure to use transition sentences to start the next paragraph(s). There should be a comfortable “flow” from one paragraph to the next. </p>
<p>3)…final paragraph. Your conclusion paragraph needs to restate your thesis. Have a clever but not trite ending. The essay should end in a clear and concise way.</p>
<p>4) Review by checking for below…
I…Do not use contractions, colloquilisms, idioms, etc.<br>
II…Be sure to use some exciting words, adjectives and adverbs, but not too many.<br>
III…Try to use some higher-order language, but not words that look “forced.”<br>
IV…Try not to use the word “I” too much.<br>
V…Consider the reader, tell a story, don’t be dull. 
VI…Be careful not to “write like we speak.” Awkward sentences are a big “no no.”
VII…recheck for grammar, misspellings, etc.
VIII…have another set of eyes look it over. :)</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>I should add the following to the above…</p>
<p>1)…first paragraph…Start your first paragraph with an attention-grabbing sentence. That will help interest the reader and set the tone for the rest of the essay. What will be your thesis? Put that at the end of your first paragraph.</p>
<p>At most flagship Us essays are just considered.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>True about some…but some require essays for scholarships or honors college admission.</p>
<p>UC’s still require essays, don’t they?</p>
<p>It’s kind of like ECs, they don’t matter much at most colleges, but where they matter they matter a lot. And that’s at top college with a ton of qualified applicants that they can only differentiate by ‘getting to know’ candidates through essays.</p>
<p>Take the time to make your essays let them know they want you as part of their community. Where they matter good grammar is standard and not the issue.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I have to respectfully disagree with much of this advice. We hired professionals to advise our kids and key advice included write like you speak and kill the unusual words.</p>
<p>So can anyone answer the question</p>
<p>How much could a complete essay, free from any grammatical or spelling mistakes, possibly hurt you? such as the most boring essay in the world?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>I didn’t suggest using any “unusual” words. Using *some *“higher-order words” does not mean “unusual words.” And, I stated not to use words that look “forced.” :)</p>
<p>and, my goodness, if kids submitted essays with “sentences” that reflect how they speak, I doubt many would get admitted anywhere. Hey, chillax dude…or…me and my friend were…</p>
<p>Alex, start with something you enjoy - a hobby, your EC, whatever.</p>
<p>Pretend you are telling your best friend (who knows nothing about your hobby) about it. What would you want him/her to know? Why do you like this activity so much?</p>
<p>Jot down some ideas. Then go from there.</p>
<p>I think you are better at this than you think ;)</p>
<p>See whether your library has a copy of a book about college essays by Harry Bauld (the actual title escapes me but that’s how you spell his name, ironic as it is). He writes in a practical yet humorous way.</p>
<p>How much could a complete essay, free from any grammatical or spelling mistakes, possibly hurt you? such as the most boring essay in the world?</p>
<p>I spoke socially with an admissions counselor at a flagship state university recently. They HATE boring essays. They won’t notice all of the niceties if they can’t get finish reading it due to boredom.</p>
<p>Hi alex,</p>
<p>Just remember that admin officers go through about 50 essays a day. They would rather see an interesting essay with few minor grammar and spelling mistakes than a perfect yet boring essay. Also remember that schools like Duke/Rice/Cornell use the essay to weed applicants out, therefore even with good or superior SAT scores, a bad essay will almost certainly cause you to be rejected.</p>
<p>Regards,
Google</p>
<p>On a side note:
) Review by checking for below…
I…Do not use contractions, colloquilisms, idioms, etc.
II…Be sure to use some exciting words, adjectives and adverbs, but not too many.
III…Try to use some higher-order language, but not words that look “forced.”
IV…Try not to use the word “I” too much.
V…Consider the reader, tell a story, don’t be dull.
VI…Be careful not to “write like we speak.” Awkward sentences are a big “no no.”
VII…recheck for grammar, misspellings, etc.
VIII…have another set of eyes look it over. </p>
<p>I agree with all of these except number 4 (IV), there is nothing wrong with using I, even a lot.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>A lot at top schools, probably not at all at a tier 3 state.</p>
<p>How To Write a Stellar Essay</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pick up a copy of “Going Rogue” by Sarah Palin.</p></li>
<li><p>Read it (this may cause severe pain)</p></li>
<li><p>Realize how pathetically put together and gramatically incorrect the book is and then be sure to not make the same mistakes.</p></li>
<li><p>Feel sympathetic for college admission officers, because this is what they have to deal with on a daily basis :)</p></li>
</ol>
<br>
<br>
<p>I agree that there’s nothing wrong with using “I,” but I disagree that it’s ok to use “I” a lot. Using “I” too frequently can sound egotisitical, narcissitic, and even boring. There are creative ways to avoid using “I” too much.</p>