<p>I feel like I've worked hard my entire life to make myself the best applicant I can be for a top-ranked school, yet now that I'm actually filling out my college applications, I realize that I simply cannot write a good college essay. Many claim that captivating essays are crucial for acceptance into an ivy league, yet I seem to only be able to produce a bland essay at best :/ And trust me, I've been trying for months. I've brainstormed every possible idea and angle but my execution of these personal essays always turn out sub-par. Will not being able to write a good essay destroy all my chances of getting into an ivy? All my other stats are average for an ivy applicant (2300, 4.0, multiple and varied ECs). </p>
<p>It just seems so depressing that the ability to write a good personal essay has such weight in college admissions that it could almost render all previous work pointless :(</p>
<p>Well the essays definitely do help. They are an integral part in the admissions process because they are what can help set you apart from the other applicants. A moving essay can help an admissions officer learn about you, and definitely can help you get that acceptance letter. Think about your life, and I mean really think. Any hardships? Any unique extracurricular? Any compassionate, voluntary service you are deeply engrossed in? OR try a simple route…sometimes the simplest essays can be the best.</p>
<p>My son went to a essay writing workshop where the teacher, an English teacher, helped the students focus and narrow down choices to write their essay. Search online to see if someone is doing that near you or if there is some on line type workshop. Maybe there is an English teacher at your school who could help. Or even contact SAT tutors who are more experienced teaching the English side and see if you might be able to pay someone for an hour or two.</p>
<p>You are probably your own worst critic. Have someone else read your essay. I agree with scscience. Your essay doesn’t have to be profound or earth shattering. Simple and well written is fine.</p>
<p>It will come to you. It may take awhile, but over thinking it usually can make it even harder to come up with something. Don’t try to spend so much time trying to “pick an angle.” Instead, just write and let it come to you as you go, then later take on the task of editing it.</p>
<p>The topic does not matter whatsoever. You can write about overcoming something, or you can write about cheese. It’s what this essay reveals about you that matters.</p>
<p>Think about something that is important to you, maybe something you collect or a favortie pasttime or a book or movie you love-- then just start writing about it. Forget that this is supposed to be a college essay or even a formal essay at all. Just write as your mind comes up with more things to say about the topic. Then go away for a few hours or even overnight and come back and edit what you’ve written in the morning down to a concise piece of writing that feels like it is pretty coherent.</p>
<p>After weeks of writing and throwing away entire essays I didn’t like, I sat down and wrote my essay as a joke in a fit of frustration. My mom saw it and was like-- no wait! that should actually be your essay! And thus my essay was born. It was my real voice, as if someone had taken me and just written me into an essay. So just… be yourself and relax, and it will come to you.</p>
<p>You can buy books full of examples of college essays (I like Harry Bauld’s book). Get one and read a few. It will give you ideas on how you can approach various topics: a hardship you’ve had to overcome, a particular quirk or pastime that gives insight into who you are, a life-changing experience, a relationship that you treasure, an experience that makes you unique among your peers, etc…</p>
<p>Most people don’t overcome something magnificent or have a life-changing extracurricular. However, I’ve seen good essays about pet cats, extracurriculars you’re very interested in, a hobby or interest, and a job. Even if its something that seems normal, how is it important to you? Why do you do it? Does it bring out your creative/intellectual/studious/athletic/whatever side? I had no idea what I wanted to write my essay on until I suddenly came up with the idea while driving home. Writing the essay also took a while. Start with examples - describing or visualizing the experience. Then add the serious stuff.</p>