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How To Write An Ivy League Admissions Essay

May 28th, 2009

If you are hoping to be able to express yourself completely on the Common App, you will probably be disappointed. It is a limited document that provides a small amount of space for answers and information. Additionally, you may submit supplemental materials, and two essays. One of your essays should be specific to school. The other one can be generic.

To make the most of this opportunity, I suggest you follow these five tips:

1. Be sure to sell yourself. You will be attending the school. They are more interested in you than in the story the essay tells.

I remember reading a wonderful, heartwarming essay from an applicant who recounted the story of her family’s practice of adopting stray dogs. The very delightful story told of her experiences caring for the dogs as she grew up. While it was most enjoyable, it fell short of the mark in two ways:

-The essay should tell about the applicant’s accomplishments. -The essay should give a clear, well-rounded picture of the applicant’s personality.

If it doesn’t address these points, a wonderful, entertaining, engaging essay may cause it’s writer to be waitlisted.

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2. Blow your own horn!

It is typical of overachievers to be modest. They tend to make the least of their spectacular accomplishments with statements like:

“Naturally, there are many others who are just as worthy as I am of attending Harvard, if not more so.”

Or

“Being accepted to Stanford will be the luckiest day of my life! I know there are others who have worked just as hard to earn it.”

Simply do not say things like that.

Naturally, you don’t want to be full of yourself and lord your accomplishments over others, but be equally careful not to be too modest. You have accomplished a great deal, or you wouldn’t be applying to a prestigious school. Make the most of your accomplishments. Be proud of the prizes you have won and the goals you have achieved. Put your best foot forward.

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3. Tell personal stories.

Sharing appropriate anecdotes about your life is very effective and memorable. The essay about the family that adopted dogs is a case in point. Even though it didn’t help that applicant, I still remember it. If you share stories of your life in a way that showcases your personality and your accomplishments, it will go a long way toward getting your application accepted.

4. Accentuate the positive. Talk about all the good things you have done. You are not required to detail your failings.

Don’t tell about the times you almost won a contest or saved the game unless they lead up to stories about how you persevered and prevailed. If your missing the final basket at one game led to your leading your team to the state championship by the end of the season, tell it. Otherwise, leave it out.

Avoid talking about ancient history, like the very first short story you ever published, unless that event led to your becoming seriously committed to creative writing, which in turn lead to winning serious contests and national recognition.

5. Don’t mention people you know at the school unless it is important to the story you are telling.

This sort of statement is not impressive in an essay:

“My friend, Harry Brown, goes to Harvard, and he is an excellent student. I have always aspired to be like him, so I am determined to attend Harvard.”

Dropping the names of alumni and professors is also not impressive.

Generally speaking, the only time it is appropriate to mention someone’s name in your essay is if it is essential to the information you are conveying. If you could tell the story just as well without the name, it is best to do just that.

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