The Application Essay

The personal statement is the one portion of the application that is under the complete control of the student, so be sure to make the most of it!  Admissions committees use the essay to get an intuitive sense of the applicant as a person—the real, live human being behind the transcript and the test scores.

Composing the personal statement can be nerve-wracking, sometimes for good reason.  Writing well is difficult, and writing well about yourself is even more so.  Frankly, we’ve seen all too many essays that are filled with grammar mistakes and awkward syntax—not to mention clichéd, dull content.

We would never write the essay for your child, but we’ll work closely with the student—through multiple re-writes, if necessary—until the end result is a powerful and memorable statement of your child’s unique qualifications for admission.

A few essay-writing tips

  • Tailor your essay to each particular college.
  • Concentrate on subjects of true significance to you.
  • Proofread, proofread, proofraed!
  • Don’t bore the reader.
  • Ask for feedback from people whose opinions you respect.
  • Make certain that you answer the question.
  • Never lie or exaggerate.
© 2010 Smarty Pants Admissions Consulting, Rochester NY