Description
Book SynopsisThis book is a guide for students writing their college admissions essays, primarily the 650-word Common App essay and supplementary essays that many schools require as part of their admission applications. With more students applying to college, and those students applying to more schools than ever before, college admission selection is far more competitive than in the past and the college essay is a key component.
We offer suggestions on good topics to write about without getting too specific (and just as importantly what not to write about), vital tips on writing approach, grammar, and usage. This guide can be for anyone who wants to write better, more clearly and crisply. If used properly, this book will help you craft a readable, interesting essay that will attract the college admissions reader by giving you a creative voice and the means to express yourself. No guarantees, but it just might make a difference in the final admission process.
Trade ReviewAs admission officers give less weight to ACT and SAT scores, they give more attention to crisp, clear, authentic essays. This pragmatic guide from four proven pros teaches applicants and their parents how to craft essays that capitalize on each student’s strengths.
-- John P. McCormick, former editorial page editor, Chicago Tribune
Even though I am a college professor, I was unsure how to advise my children when they asked for feedback on their college admission essays. Of course, I told them to check grammar rules and avoid typo's at all costs, but that was not much help.
This book would have been the perfect guide, providing a clear road map of what to avoid (hackneyed themes) and how to use the essay writing process as a way to learn more about themselves. What a great blessing to families navigating the college admissions process!
-- Cynthia Conlon, JD, PhD, adjunct faculty Northwestern University
The Franklins and their coauthors are knowledgeable and caring parents whose practical suggestions for writing college application essays are effective and to the point (which you will learn from this book is an improvement over “impactful and focused").
-- Eugene Sunshine, former chief administrative, business, financial and personnel officer of Northwestern University
Table of ContentsEpigraph
Preface
Introduction
- Starting Out: Confronting the Blank Screen
- The First Step: Picking a Prompt
- What To Do and What Not To Do When You Begin Writing
- More Advice As You Write
- The Prompts and Some Illustrative Essays
- The Supplemental Essay
- Special Creative Questions
- Special Usage Rules for College Essays
- Special Usage Rules II
- Editing
- An Interview With An Experienced College Counselor
- You Hit the Submit Button, Now What?
- What If You Don’t Get Your First Choice? Hint: Life Doesn’t End
