The Essay

Part of our service is to provide feedback to help you write a quality essay for your college application. Currently 500 schools in the United States and internationally ask students to submit a Common Application to be considered for admission to their school.

The Common Application requires that the applicant write an essay, usually no longer than 650 words. For the 2014 application, the questions from which an applicant can choose are as follows: 1. Some students have a background or a story that is so central to the identity that they believe their application will be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story; 2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you and what lessons did you learn?; 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?; 4. Describe a place or an environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there and why is it meaningful to you?; 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event formal or informal that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community or family.

For the University of California essay starting in 2016, you must choose to write about four of eight prompts: 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time; or 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side; 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?; 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced; 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?; 6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you; 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?; 8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates apply to the University of California?

Many colleges require the applicant to complete a “supplemental” application form in addition to the Common Application. Many of these supplements also include additional short essays. For example, this year, in order to apply to Harvey Mudd College, a student must submit two additional essays on the following topics: 1. What influenced you to apply to Harvey Mudd? What about the HMC curriculum and the community appeals to you?; 2. Select one of the three prompts to answer: A. “Scientific research is human endeavor. The choices of topics that we research are based on our biases, our beliefs, and what we bring: our cultures and our families. The kinds of problems that people put their talents to solving depends on their values.” – Dr. Clifton Poodry. How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve?; B. In a world where technology continually adapts and progresses, Harvey Mudd College expects that our students will be aware of the impact of their work on society. How would you use new advances to improve your life and/or the lives of others around you? Describe your idea and its potential impact. Feel free to be as creative or as practical as you like.; C. What is one thing we won’t know about you after reading your application that you haven’t already reported in the Common Application additional information section?

The essay is one part of the application. Admissions officers will first screen applicants based on GPA, Class Rank, and test scores. Because so many applicants have strong scores, the essay provides you with an opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Remember that colleges receive many applications in excess of the spots they have available each year for their freshman class. Your essay can help show the admissions counselor what is unique about you and what you will bring to the college. Each year, colleges will look for students with particular skills that their school needs. Applicants need to remember that a good deal of the college admissions process is outside the applicant’s control. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Just do your best job on the application; do your best to explain all that you have to offer the college. Then see what happens.

You should start writing the essay as soon as possible, and ask several people to read it and give you feedback. Remember also that the essay should demonstrate your abilities to write and think. Start early to produce an essay that is well written, articulate, organized, and grammatically correct. Avoid using your essay to simply list your activities and achievements. Instead, show how those interests and activities affect you or your goals.

The Common Application generally becomes available August 1st. As soon as it becomes available, create an account, look at the essay topics, and start writing!