Customer Reviews

Essays That Will Get You Into College

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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.

Wow, this book helped me SO much when I applied for college. I didn't really have a good idea of what great essays are until I read this book. Not only did it give step-by-step instructions of creating my perfect essays, it also provided a variety of sample essays on multiple subjects and of various lengths. I still remember reading an essay about this Princeton kid, who when he was little, used to explore the "world" as he walked along the creek. I shared his experience with this type of adventure and I ended up, in a way, modeling my essay on adventure based on it. Now, I'm studying finance at the world's #1 business school. I'm so glad I used this book to guide my essay-writing.

As someone who works privately with students, helping them with admissions essays for college, I highly recommend this book. When students call me in regard to assistance with their essays, I recommend that they first buy this book as a means to get started. The guidelines and essays have helped my clients not only to gather their thoughts, but also to organize and write them into interesting and creative essays. By the time they come to me for feedback and editing, they are well on the way to getting into the college of their choice.