The College Essay

"The essay is the main life-support system of the application."

Fred Hargadon, Former Dean of Admissions, Princeton

Students have two opportunities to say, "This is who I am" to a college admission committee, during an interview and in an essay. And more and more colleges are no longer granting interviews on campus.

A major component in the Junior Composition and Speech course is a unit entitled, Writing for College. During this unit, each junior will write an essay taken from the Common Application, which will be evaluated, discussed, graded and forwarded to the College Guidance Office for the use of your college counselor. In 2009-2010, well over 80% of the applications students filed were Common Applications. The College Guidance Office prepares a packet of materials about essay writing that is the basis of this unit, and many seniors find they can use this essay when they apply to college.

English teachers as well as the college counselors are happy to read and react to essays and provide ethically responsible help. Students should do what their counselors and teachers do when they are required to compose a piece of writing that will be carefully studied and will produce personal judgments - run it by someone else.

Tips for Preparing Your College Essay

Write clearly and succinctly. Essays should not be lengthy. They are read quickly by individuals more interested in quality and depth than in length.

Capitalize on this opportunity to make an impression. Optional essay? Do it - this is your chance to stand up and be counted.

Be authentic. While it is appropriate to ask a teacher or counselor or parent to react to an essay, it is essential that you own your work. Experienced admissions officers can easily spot an application that has received inappropriate help. You will not be penalized for being seventeen either in an interview or on an essay. But you will be penalized if you write anything that does not ring true given what your teachers, guidance counselor and transcript say about you.

View the essay as a camera aimed at yourself. 

As you consider what to write about, think of questions such as the following:

  1. What do you want someone to know about you that the rest of your application does not cover?
  2. What is your style - what are you like – how well do you write – what makes you unique?

"But I can't emphasize enough (well, maybe I can) that the style, flavor, and substance of your essay needs to be your own and to look your own and to sound like you. In a word, your essay (in fact, your entire application) should smell authentic."

Fred Hargadon,
Former Dean of Admissions, Princeton