<p>I don't mean a merely "good", solid essay. I don't even mean the kind of essay that will give you an "edge". I mean the kind of essay for which the admissions officers will nod and smile and think, "That's one of the best essays I've ever read."</p>
<p>We all know the various guidelines, the advice given to students on how to write admission essays. Show, don't tell; be yourself; and so forth. No doubt most students go on to follow this advice. What, then, makes a "best" essay in the eyes of an admissions officer?</p>
<p>Is it an essay that not only has good structure and follows the advice I mentioned, but discusses exceptional circumstances, and highlights something special about what the student's done?</p>
<p>Is it an essay that appeals to the adcom personally? One that can't be manufactured and pre-planned because it appeals more to one type of person than another?</p>
<p>Do these kinds of essays focus and flesh out just one thing the applicant's learned, or can it be a number of things, so long as the person goes into some detail?</p>
<p>How much "show don't tell" is too much "show don't tell"? Is it overdoing it just to tell, and not to use sentences such as "Eventually, I grew stronger and wiser," at all? </p>
<p>Is it none of those?</p>
<p>What, exactly, makes for a phenomenal essay?</p>
<p>I believe the cardinal rule would be “Make the adcom wish the word limit was larger”. However, I’m not entirely sure that this rule is set in stone…</p>
<p>A great writer will generally write at least a good essay. Factor in the context of the times, the reader, life experiences pertainin to the topic, etc. and there is a chance the essay will be great. So, a stroke of luck combined with a lifetime of skill. </p>
<p>If you’re not a great writer, there is still a chance you can write a great essay, but not as much of a chance. </p>
<p>“How much “show don’t tell” is too much “show don’t tell”? Is it overdoing it just to tell, and not to use sentences such as “Eventually, I grew stronger and wiser,” at all?”</p>
<p>Such a good question…I’d like to know myself.</p>
<p>One thing I believe is important is the writer’s craft. No, this is clearly not the most important aspect of an essay, but reading an essay that truly flows, and is just written wonderfully pays off A LOT.</p>
<p>I don’t think anybody will be able to answer this question - not even the adcoms. Adcoms themselves are not waiting for a certain topic - they are not expecting anything when they start going through that pile of essays. They just read. And as they go along, they sometimes find that one essay that stands out. Maybe the adcom was able to perfectly relate with that essay. Maybe, in that spur of the moment, the adcom really liked the essay’s theme. Who knows? </p>
<p>I did hear of one incident (I doubt it’s reality) where the essay’s topic was “Write about a risk that you have taken” and the student wrote:</p>
<p>I think if you write about something that you’re really passionate and just comes naturally to you, it will be phenomenal. You obviously have to have some talent and raw love for what you are writing about, but if it comes from the heart, I think an admission officer will be able to tell.</p>
<p>When high school seniors write college essays, they forget the purpose of the essay. Everyone sees all these people writing about saving animals in Africa or inventing new things or having your own company or opening a non profit organization. These are all great ideas and great accomplishments, however these ideas and accomplishments do not necessarily make your essay better. Admissions officers just want another piece of work to learn more about you. They want to see how you think and how you approach a prompt. A good way for you to show your admissions officer you are more than just a number, grade, ranking is by writing a well thought out college essay. It does not have to be an amazing essay with numerous accomplishments, just good enough to let the admissions officer into your world and how you think.</p>
<p>i want to write phemonenal essay because i am borderline for ivys…I have 32 ACT…so I want o write something that goes off the page. That blows the admission officer’s mind.</p>
<p>I agree with commentcomment. It’s not necessarily the subject that you write about (even though that does matter), but how you write it, what angle you approach it from, and how you link it to yourself. </p>
<p>The one word that an admissions officer from Stanford told me he was looking for in an essay is VOICE. They want to get a feel for who you are, your personality, how you think. </p>
<p>Everyone has the same advice but in reality, few can pull it off. </p>
<p>My first 2 were high stats students who didn’t make it into their top choice colleges. For my third we hired an excellent essay counselor and learned that we could no more become experts on college essays by reading books than we could be expert accountants or car mechanics doing the same. He got in.</p>