College Essay Advice

The essay also provides you with an opportunity to say what hasn’t been said in your application and do so in your distinct voice.For colleges, the essay not only provides an opportunity to evaluate your creativity, writing style and ability, but also says something about your outlook on life—your preferences, values, the way you think—and the experiences and people who have uniquely shaped you. Admissions counselors develop a sixth sense about essay writers who are authentic.

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The essay is valuable to you and the colleges to which you are applying.

If you think of the application as pieces of a puzzle or as independent voices coming together to tell your story, the essay is part of the puzzle over which you have complete control.

Meredith: Are there certain essay subjects that a student should avoid?

Jodi: Admissions counselors will see the same narratives over and over.

Students should read through the essay topics and see which ones they gravitate toward first.

Sometimes students have a particular story in mind that they want to share in the essay, so they’ll need to determine which topic will allow them to do that.

Jodi has several years of experience guiding Massachusetts students through the college admissions process, and she offers some wise words (and great ideas) below.

Meredith: When beginning the process of writing the college essay, where should a student start?

Your English teacher can help you rework some of your sentences so that you lose words but you don’t lose content or your message.

You do need to pay attention to the word count in your final submission, as online applications will cut you off if you try to go over.