Gettysburg
We read so many essays; the thing I’d tell students is, don’t write what you think we want to hear. Tell us what you want to say.
St. Olaf
It’s okay to write about your service trip—but avoid the essay about “happy natives.” [As in:] ‘I loved spending time with these people who have nothing but are so much happier than those who have so much more…’
University of Illinois
Please check your spelling. We had an applicant with an otherwise nice essay and application; apparently he liked pheasant hunting. But what he wrote about was his love of ‘peasant hunting.’ And you’ve heard this before, but make sure you have the name of the right school in your essay. We know what other schools are asking in their essays. Customize yours to the prompt; write something unique.
Macalester
We like students who really drill down into something and use their essay to talk about one thing, be reflective, self-aware.
Yale (Director of Admissions Margit Dahl)
“What I hope to hear while reading essays is the student’s voice. Authenticity is critical. Be personal, and use the word I.”
Bowdoin
The supplemental essay matters. If it looks like the Common App essay is very polished and the supplement is inferior, it matters. The supplement should be very carefully considered and written. Don’t try and use another supplemental essay and fit it into the Bowdoin peg. We can tell.
MIT (5 short answer questions)
“What we’re looking for is the answer to the questions, so don’t worry about flowery prose or labor over some creative way to answer the question. A haiku is fine, if that’s your thing, but don’t sit around for hours trying to force answer. Just be honest.”
Davidson
“The writing in your essay matters. [On the ‘Why Davidson?’ prompt:] Hand your essay to somebody who knows and loves you and ask them ‘Is this me?’ And if they say yes then you’re in good shape.