Beat Ivy League Odds With An Engaging & Effective College Essay
According to a CBS News article published in April titled “Ivy League acceptance rates hit "shocking" lows amid pandemic upheaval” statistics show that Ivy League schools’ admission rates are dropping, making the acceptance process even more competitive than previous years. “At Harvard, 3.4% of applicants were admitted compared with 4.9% the previous year, while Columbia's rate dropped to 3.7%, from 6.1% — a record low for both institutions. Other Ivies also reported reduced admissions compared with a year ago,” the article states. These statistics are drastically changing the competitiveness of school admissions and your impeccable academic performance may not be the only key deciding factor on whether or not you make it into your first-choice college. The admissions essay could be the deciding factor between you and other prospective students.
“The more selective the college, the more the essay matters”, Elizabeth Benedict, a former Princeton writing instructor explains. While essay requirements for colleges vary, the Common Application (Common App) essay is standard and is the main personal statement students submit. This essay offers students the opportunity to showcase their unique personalities, interests that may fall outside of the scope of their resume, or moments that have been personally impactful and important to them and could set them apart from other prospective students. In addition to the Common App essay, Ivy League college admission committees require students to submit supplemental essays. These questions can vary from year to year, but there are a number of tips that can help any student write a successful essay. Whether you’re applying to Yale, Dartmouth, or Columbia, Ivy Link has put together a shortlist of tips to assist you or your student in drafting an engaging and powerful admissions essay that could be the deciding aspect of acceptance or denial into an Ivy League’s student body.
1. Be true to yourself.
Since there is an extensive number of students applying to Ivy League schools that all have an expansive and impressive list of academic achievements, great test scores and a wide range of extracurriculars to boast, it’s extremely important to showcase aspects of yourself that might not be easily apparent from other parts of your application. Admissions committees, when comparing two prospective students are more likely to choose the student with whom they feel a personal connection. In other words, tell a story only you can tell that highlights your feelings, life priorities, how you approach problems, and how you make decisions. If you write about a topic that doesn’t matter to you, it won’t matter to the reader.
2. Start Early
You will want to revisit your draft multiple times with fresh eyes before submitting your final essay. Starting the process early will give your writing the ability to mature over time. Once you write a draft, set it aside for a few days and then revisit. Remember to put yourself in the shoes of the admissions officer. Is this essay (aka this applicant) interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Is the writing vivid and specific? Does it reveal something new about the applicant (that's you!!)
3. Do your research
Most Ivy League colleges will require students to write about why their institution is a student’s top choice. This is a chance to brainstorm and discuss the college’s professors whose work you admire and whom you'd like to study with or conduct research with, research opportunities you’d like to have, campus life, extracurriculars that you’d be interested in joining, or current and past students of the college you’ve met who you admire. Spend time researching all aspects of the college before writing your first draft and be sure you understand the prompt before putting pen to paper. In addition to researching the university, spend some time studying successful admission essays online too!
4. Share a Clear Insight
One of the most common mistakes on a college application essay is trying to fit too many key points into a short essay. This will undoubtedly make your essay confusing and hard for admissions officers to follow. Narrow your focus for a concise and effective essay. Don’t forget to use vivid language that draws the reader in.
5. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Want to put an end to your college career before it has even begun? Submit an academic essay with a typo or incorrect punctuation. With more students applying to Ivy League schools and fewer getting accepted there is no room for simple spelling or grammatical errors. Before submission, run your essay through a spelling and grammar check and be sure to have someone else- a teacher, parent or even a friend- read your essay and offer honest feedback. Be sure to ask them whether your work aptly represents you as both a student and an individual.
If you’re struggling to write your essay or need support in crafting an undeniably successful essay to set you apart from other applicants Ivy Link’s team of expert advisors and tutors can help. Click below to schedule a consultation.
