Admissions Essay Tip #2

[IvyEyesEditing]

Hello everyone!

Writing an admissions essay (at any level--college, MBA, law, medical school, etc) can be challenging. It forces you, the applicant, to put yourself in the shoes of the admissions committee member reading your essay. The temptation is to 'oversell' yourself, and show why Harvard or Yale or Columbia must accept you now. We frequently see:

"The world-renown faculty at Harvard will help me to....."

"Yale's incredible resources and professional network will help me as I...."

This type of excessive program praise does not always detract from your admissions essay, but it does not add real value. This information WILL detract from the quality of your essay if it mentioned abruptly, and does not fit within the framework of your narrative or relate to the prompt.

We ask applicants to think more deeply and reflectively about why a specific program appeals to them. What specific aspects of the curriculum or teaching style pique your interest? How will the more specific program offerings help you to realize academic or career goals? Can you cite the work of a faculty member whose career trajectory closely mirrors your own? What resources outside the classroom will help you to accomplish your goals? For some candidates, location is critical (for campuses near major research centers, financial institutions, specific communities, etc.)

As always, reach out to us with any questions as you perfect your materials!!!

Most sincerely,
Paul