Stand Out on College Apps with Personalized Essay

High school students in the midst of the college application process are most likely working on The Common Application that is accepted by more than 800 colleges, including the majority of institutions most popular with New Jersey students.  It requires one essay, and students can choose from a variety of topics or one of their own creation.  Due to the importance of writing an interesting, grammatically correct, essay most students get help from a variety of sources. In many schools, the writing of this essay is incorporated into the English IV curriculum with teachers editing their students’ rough drafts. Often parents, relatives or friends offer their input as well. At times, a private counselor is hired to insure that an impressive essay is submitted that is likely to garner the approval of college admissions officers.  The end result, according to colleges, is that most of the essays they receive are good enough to be published. The problem: they seldom reflect the students’ independent work.

Colleges often get a better idea of an applicant’s natural writing ability and suitability for admission through the use of a supplemental essay.  Many colleges, including almost all of the most competitive institutions, require a supplemental essay addressing a specific question.  Often the topic revolves around why the student is applying to that particular college, allowing the admissions team to assess the student’s interest in, and potential match for, their institution. NYU’s supplemental essay, personifying this strategy, states: We would like to know more about your interest in NYU.  We are particularly interested in knowing what motivated you to apply to NYU and more specifically, why you have applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and/or area of study?

Colleges are well aware that students typically apply to several schools, and they favor those students who will likely attend, if accepted.  So students should utilize a supplemental essay as a chance to demonstrate their interest in the particular college, and should specifically state the programs, courses, internships, study abroad opportunities, and any other characteristics that make the institution a perfect match for their college ambitions.  Students should exercise care to insure that this essay is well written, grammatically correct, and offers information that is not evident in other parts of their application.  Just because it’s not the main essay of the application, and is not the focus of outside scrutiny by teachers and parents, doesn’t mean that it’s not just as important to colleges.    

Susan Alaimo is the founder of SAT Smart. For the past 25 years, SAT Smart’s Ivy League educated tutors have prepared students for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP courses, and all high school subjects. Visit www.SATsmart.com or call 908-369-5362.