What do having a gap between two front teeth, a pilot’s license, and playing childhood games with older sisters have in common? They all serve as the basis of successful college essays I read this year.
October 15th is the first major deadline for college applications. Many of my students are submitting applications by the deadline and have diligently been working on essays. Even though editing college essays creates more work for me, I love having a front row seat in this process. A couple of years ago I incorporated a College Essay unit, heavily influenced by Brian Sztabnik where we review essays, tips for writing narratively, and college applications in general. (*Teachers – see my digression on this topic at the end of this post). After reading 130 of my students essays and offered feedback on how to make them better, I – as a teacher and parent of three kids who have been admitted into college – am going to offer some thoughts on building the perfect college resume.
I love your ideas here! I, too, am one who can never say no to helping with a college essay, despite the time it takes me to do so. One of my favorites was about the first time dad let him mow the lawn; or the student who, as an immigrant, had an even more annoying experience at the DMV based on paperwork; or the girl who used memes to tell a story about journalism.
College essays are a blessing and a curse. The competitive pressure to “get into the school of their dreams” often produces trite, formulaic essays, the creative, outside the box thinkers soar on this one.