Essays That Will Get You Into College

 (5 customer reviews)

As a college applicant in a foreign country, I had no idea of what American colleges wanted in an essay. I had bought one book previously, but it contained hazy advice and poor sample essays (also lacking commentry). These essays are brilliant, and well analysed. It helped me, and I hear of many advisors who use only this book to give students an idea as to what to write. BUY IT!!

This book tells you the basics of what colleges want in an essay, and goes into a lot of detail for all the tips. It also tells about a lot of excercises to help you write in general, which a mediocre writer might find useful. The 50 sample essays are usually from students who got into some of the top schools, such as Cornell. Some of them are really good, but a lot of them aren't (this might raise your confidence). It has some of the essays in the back graded by admissions officers with a few lines of comment. Basically, this is a good book to get, but 90% of it is available for free on the essayedge editing website. I see no reason to pay for it if they make it available for free.

This book was very helpful in that rather than prescribing a formula to a "winning" essay, it walks you through the steps of brain storming that for me was a journey of self discovery. I know this sounds silly, but by following the guidelines I had a greater grasp of what makes me who I am in a condensed form appropriate for putting onto paper. This book helps you expose the person you are, not write the essay admission people want to hear. I feel that is much more important, because then your essays will reflect your personality, and admission officers will be able to accept you if you are a good match for the school. I say this as I see countless people around me hating this school, probably because they don't know what they want, and did not portray accurately who they are, with respect to hopes, aspirations, and passions. The point I am getting at, is this book helps you capture your essence and put it on paper. IT WILL NOT HELP YOU CRAFT AN ESSAY TO PLEASE ADMISSION OFFICERS.