WHY ESSAY COACHING?
An original, well-written personal essay is a key component for admission into the country's top colleges and universities.
The College Essay is not the typical kind of writing assignment that most students are used to working on for school. The goals of the college essay are quite different.
Most school essays or papers are evaluated primarily on organization (usually an assigned form and structure) and content that demonstrates a mastery of a particular topic and the English language. While these elements can benefit a college application essay, a formal essay approach can sometimes suck the life out of a piece and defeat the primary objective of the college essay––which is: to write an essay that establishes a personal connection, allowing the reader to know and like you.
There is no formula to writing the best college application essay. Success comes in many forms, and the strongest essays are no different. Most importantly, the essay is an opportunity for students to give the application readers some new information about their lives––stuff that isn’t going to be found in teacher recommendations, transcripts and SAT scores. The most effective essays deepen what the admissions office knows about a student as an individual. College essays make a difference when they provide readers with insight into a student on a human level––a glimpse into the experiences and motivations that shine light on the student as a person. They should also give an indication about what a student will bring to campus.
Admissions officers read 20-40 essays a day––strong essays stand out for several reasons:
(1) Engaging, colorful, vivid writing that allows the reader to feel a connection to the applicant. (2) A topic that contextualizes the student and sheds light on something integral to their identity (doesn’t have to be a happy subject). (3) A clear sense of what the applicant will bring to campus and how they will fit in at the college.
For a high school senior, planning an essay that does all of this can be a big challenge––especially writing a deeply personal essay for the eyes of unknown readers. Most students struggle to approach this kind of writing––even without the added pressure of college admission at stake. Showing essays to an English teacher or College Counselor/Guidance Counselor at school is always a good idea, but often, these educators work with many students and may not be able to give each student or essay the attention needed. Parents, though well intentioned, often make the process worse by unintentionally increasing the pressue. Even great writers are not always great teachers. The key is to find a coach with both teaching and writing expertise and experience with the college essay specifically.
A GOOD COLLEGE ESSAY COACH SHOULD...
Work closely with students to help overcome the hurdles of getting started, selecting an effective topic and organizing the structure of the essay.
Help students (and parents) understand what the essay can and can’t do, and how to make it most effective.
Work to to determine the amount of help a student wants and needs, develop a customized process, and review drafts until the essay is polished and ready for submission.
Be professionally persistent when students would rather just avoid the whole thing altogether!
Never take over the writing of the essay, but help students find a voice so that the final piece is a true reflection of the students' thinking and writing.
Help students handle the overwhelming pressure of applications and find confidence within the process from start to finish.
Leave students feeling proud of their work and confident that the essay reflects their best efforts and accurately represents them personally and effectively.